Pegylation reagents and compounds formed therewith

ABSTRACT

Biologically active conjugates are disclosed which are formed by reaction of a thiol moiety of a biologically active molecule with a non-peptidic polymer having an active sulfone moiety. Also disclosed are compounds having the formula R 1 —X—R 2  wherein at least one of R 1  and R 2  is a biologically active molecule having a reactive thiol moiety which forms a covalent bond with X, a Michael acceptor-activated non-peptidic polymer. Further disclosed are methods of making the conjugates and compounds of the present invention as well as pharmaceutical compositions containing them. In addition, activated polymers suitable for attachment to a variety of molecules and surfaces are disclosed.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/151,481, filed Nov. 12, 1993, and a continuation-in-part of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 07/850,675, filed Mar. 13, 1992, which is a continuation-in-part of abandoned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 07/669,862, filed Mar. 15, 1991, which is a continuation-in-part of abandoned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 07/555,274, filed Jul. 19, 1990 and a continuation-in-part of U.S. Pat. No. 5,075,222, issued Dec. 24, 1991, all of which are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] This invention relates to active derivatives of polyethylene glycol and related hydrophilic polymers and to methods for their synthesis for use in modifying the characteristics of surfaces and molecules. The invention also relates to polypeptides that have been covalently bonded to such active derivatives and methods for making the same.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Polyethylene glycol (“PEG”) has been studied for use in pharmaceuticals, on artificial implants, and other applications where biocompatibility is of importance. Various derivatives of PEG have been proposed that have an active moiety for permitting PEG to be attached to pharmaceuticals and implants and to molecules and surfaces generally. For example, PEG derivatives have been proposed for coupling PEG to surfaces to control wetting, static buildup, and attachment of other types of molecules to the surface, including proteins or protein residues.

[0004] PEG derivatives have also been proposed for affinity partitioning, for example, of enzymes from a cellular mass. In affinity partitioning, the PEG derivative includes a functional group for reversible coupling to an enzyme that is contained within a cellular mass. The PEG and enzyme conjugate is separated from the cellular mass and then the enzyme is separated from the PEG derivative, if desired.

[0005] In still further examples, coupling of PEG derivatives (“PEGylation”) is desirable to overcome obstacles encountered in the clinical use of biologically active molecules. Published PCT Publication No. WO 92/16221 states, for example, that many potentially therapeutic proteins have been found to have a short half life in the blood serum. For the most part, proteins are cleared from the serum through the kidneys. The systematic introduction of relatively large quantities of proteins, particularly those foreign to the human system, can give rise to immunogenic reactions that, among other problems, may lead to rapid removal of the protein from the body through formation of immune complexes. For other proteins, solubility and aggregation problems have also hindered the optimal formulation of the protein.

[0006] PEGylation decreases the rate of clearance from the bloodstream by increasing the apparent molecular weight of the molecule. Up to a certain size, the rate of glomerular filtration of proteins is inversely proportional to the size of the protein. The ability of PEGylation to decrease clearance, therefore, is generally not a function of how many PEG groups are attached to the protein, but the overall molecular weight of the altered protein. Decreased clearance can lead to increased efficiency over the non-PEGylated material. See, for example, Conforti et al., Pharm. Research Commun. vol. 19, pg. 287 (1987) and Katre et., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. vol. 84, pg. 1487 (1987).

[0007] In addition, PEGylation can decrease protein aggregation, (Suzuki et al., Biochem. Biophys. Acta vol. 788, pg. 248 (1984)), alter protein immunogenicity (Abuchowski et al., J. Biol. Chem. vol. 252 pg. 3582 (1977)), and increase protein solubility as described, for example, in PCT Publication No. WO 92/16221.

[0008] PEGylation of proteins illustrates some of the problems that have been encountered in attaching PEG to surfaces and molecules. The vast majority of PEGylating reagents react with free primary amino groups of the polypeptide. Most of these free amines are the epsilon amino group of lysine amino acid residues. Typical proteins possess a large number of lysines. Consequently, random attachment of multiple PEG molecules often occurs leading to loss of protein activity.

[0009] In addition, if the PEGylated protein is intended for therapeutic use, the multiple species mixture that results from the use of non-specific PEGylation leads to difficulties in the preparation of a product with reproducible and characterizable properties. This non-specific PEGylation makes it difficult to evaluate therapeutics and to establish efficacy and dosing information. The site selective PEGylation of such proteins could lead to reproducibly-modified materials that gain the desirable attributes of PEGylation without the loss of activity.

[0010] The need to reproducibly create complexes of two or more linked bioactive molecules or compounds also exists. In certain cases, the administration of multimeric complexes that contain more than one biologically active polypeptide or drug leads to synergistic benefits. For example, a complex containing two or more identical binding polypeptides may have substantially increased affinity for the ligand or active site to which it binds relative to the monomeric polypeptide. Alternatively, a complex comprised of (1) a bioactive protein that exerts its effect at a particular site in the body and (2) a molecule that can direct the complex to that specific site may be particularly beneficial.

[0011] A need also exists for hydrolytically-stable activated polymers which form linkages which are also hydrolytically stable. Otherwise, in certain cases, the reactive group can be rendered inactive before the desired reaction takes place or the conjugate formed after reaction has a short half life in aqueous media, such as blood or plasma.

[0012] For example, Zalipsky U.S. Pat. No. 5,122,614 describes that PEG molecules activated with an oxycarbonyl-N-dicarboximide functional group that can be attached under aqueous, basic conditions by a urethane linkage to the amine group of a polypeptide. Activated PEG-N-succinimide carbonate is said to form stable, hydrolysis-resistant urethane linkages with amine groups. The amine group is shown to more reactive at basic pHs of about 8.0 to 9.5, and reactivity falls off sharply at lower pHs. Hydrolysis of the uncoupled PEG derivative, however, also increases sharply at pHs of 8.0 to 9.5. Zalipsky avoids the problem of an increase in the rate of reaction of the uncoupled PEG derivative with water by using an excess of PEG derivative to bind to the protein. By using an excess of PEG derivative, sufficient reactive amino sites are bound to PEG to modify the protein before the PEG derivative becomes hydrolyzed and unreactive.

[0013] Zalipsky's method is adequate for nonspecific attachment of the lysine fraction of a protein to a PEG derivative at one active site on the PEG. If the rate of hydrolysis of the PEG derivative is substantial, however, then it can be problematic to provide attachment at more than one active site on the PEG molecule, since a simple excess does not slow the rate of hydrolysis.

[0014] For example, a linear PEG with active sites at each end will attach to protein at one end but the reactive site at the other end can react with water to form a relatively nonreactive hydroxyl moiety instead of a PEG linking two protein groups. A similar problem arises if it is desired to couple a molecule to a surface by a PEG linking agent because the PEG is first attached to the surface or couples to the molecule, and the opposite end of the PEG derivative must remain active for a subsequent reaction. If hydrolysis is a problem, then the opposite end typically becomes inactivated.

[0015] Zalipsky U.S. Pat. No. 5,122,614 also describes several other PEG derivatives from prior patents. PEG-succinoyl-N-hydroxysuccinimide ester is said to form ester linkages that have limited stability in aqueous media. PEG-cyanuric chloride is said to be toxic and is non-specific for reaction with particular functional groups on a protein which can lead to protein inactivation. PEG-phenylcarbonate is said to produce toxic hydrophobic phenol residues that have an affinity for proteins. PEG activated with carbonyldiimidizole is said to be too slow in reacting with protein functional groups, requiring long reaction times to obtain sufficient modification of the protein.

[0016] Still other PEG derivatives have been proposed for attachment to functional groups other than the epsilon amino group of lysine. Maleimide, for example, is specific for cysteine sulfhydryl but the maleimide functionality is subject to hydrolysis.

[0017] Accordingly, a need exists for reagents and methods for reproducibly creating complexes whose parts are linked by nonantigenic, highly soluble, biologically inert molecules. The present invention satisfies the need for such complexes and provides related advantages. The present invention also satisfies the need for hydrolytically stable reagents that form hydrolytically stable conjugates.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0018] The present invention relates to biologically-active conjugates containing a biologically-active molecule having a reactive thiol moiety and a non-peptidic polymer having an active sulfone moiety which forms a link with the reactive thiol moiety. The biologically-active molecule can be a synthetic, a naturally occurring, or a modified naturally occurring molecule. A molecule possessing the desired biological activity can be modified to contain a reactive thiol moiety.

[0019] Particularly useful biologically active molecules include the tumor necrosis factor (“TNF”) inhibitors, Interleukin-1 receptor antagonists (“IL-1ra's”), CR₁, exon six peptide of PDGF, and the Interleukin-2 (“IL-2”) inhibitors and receptors (“IL-2r”).

[0020] The polymer of the present invention contains at least one active sulfone moiety and has the formula P—SO₂—C—C—, where P is polymer and C* is a reactive site for linkage with thiol moieties. The link between the thiol and activated sulfone is at C* and can be represented by the formula P—SO₂—C—C*S—R, where R is the biologically-active molecule. Useful activated sulfone moieties include, for example, vinyl sulfone and chloroethyl sulfone.

[0021] Various polymers can be activated for use in all embodiments of the present invention including water soluble polymers such as polyethylene glycol (“PEG”) and related hydrophilic polymers.

[0022] The present invention also provides methods of using sulfone-activated polymers to make the biologically-active conjugates discussed above. The method includes the steps of:

[0023] (a) reacting the biologically-active molecule having a reactive thiol moiety with a non-peptidic polymer having an active sulfone moiety to form a conjugate; and

[0024] (b) isolating the conjugate.

[0025] Pharmaceutical compositions containing the conjugates are also within the scope of the invention.

[0026] The present invention further relates to sulfone-activated polymers useful for coupling to a variety of molecules, compounds, and surfaces. The activated sulfone moiety is the same as discussed above. Particularly useful activated polymers include bifunctional PEG derivatives activated with a sulfone moiety at one site on the PEG molecule and an NHS-ester or a maleimide functionality at another site.

[0027] Further included in the present invention are substantially purified biologically-active compounds having the formula R₁—X—R₂, called a “dumbbell” where at least one of R₁ or R₂ is a biologically-active molecule which retains its biological activity when part of the compound. The biologically-active molecule has a reactive thiol moiety which forms a link with a Michael acceptor group on a non-peptidic polymer. Biologically-active molecules suitable for use in the present invention include those mentioned above. Useful Michael acceptor groups include, for example, vinyl sulfone and maleimide. Polymers which can be activated with Michael acceptor functional groups include the water soluble polymers mentioned above.

[0028] R₁ and R₂ can be the same or different moieties. When the R groups are the same, the compound is a homodumbbell; when the R groups are different, the compound is a heterodumbbell. Particularly useful homodumbbells include, for example, PEG-linked TNF inhibitors and PEG-linked IL-1ra's. Useful heterodumbbells include, for example, those formed from IL-2r-α and IL-2r-β, heterodumbbells which inhibit the classical pathway of the complement system, and heterodumbbells formed from IL-Ira and exon 6 of PDGF.

[0029] Methods of making the dumbbell compounds are within the scope of the invention. The methods of making a dumbbell, R₁—X—R₂, include the steps of:

[0030] (a) reacting X with R₁ and R₂ to form R₁—X—R₂; and

[0031] (b) purifying R₁—X—R₂.

[0032] Step (a) in the above methods of making dumbbells can further include the following steps:

[0033] protecting one reactive group of X to form a protected group on X;

[0034] reacting X having a protected group with R₁ to form R₁—X;

[0035] deprotecting the protected group on X; and

[0036] reacting R₁—X with R₂ to form R₁—X—R₂.

[0037] Alternatively or in addition, step (a) can further include the following steps:

[0038] reacting an excess of X with R₁ to form R₁—X; and

[0039] reacting R₁—X with R₂ to form R₁-X—R₂.

[0040] Pharmaceutical compositions containing the substantially purified compounds R₁—X—R₂ are also within the scope of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0041] The present invention provides biologically-active conjugates containing (1) a biologically-active molecule having a reactive thiol moiety, and (2) a non-peptidic polymer having an active sulfone moiety which forms a linkage with the thiol moiety of the biologically-active molecule.

[0042] A “conjugate” means a complex that is formed by joining a biologically-active molecule, having an active thiol moiety, to a non-peptidic polymer, having an active sulfone moiety, via a linkage between the thiol and sulfone. As stated above, the conjugates of the present invention are biologically active.

[0043] “Biologically active” means capable of exerting a biological effect, in vitro or in vivo.

[0044] A biologically active molecule includes, but is not limited to, any compound that can induce a biological effect on interaction with a natural biological molecule or on a biological system such as a cell or organism. Ways of demonstrating biological activity include in-vitro bioassays, many of which are well known in the art. For example, one can measure the biological activity of tumor necrosis factor (“TNF”) inhibitors by determining if the inhibitors bind to TNF or if the inhibitors block TNF-mediated lysis of certain cells. The latter bioassay is set forth in published European Patent Application No. 90113673.9, which is specifically incorporated herein by reference.

[0045] Biologically-active molecules include, but are not limited to, pharmaceuticals, vitamins, nutrients, nucleic acids, amino acids, polypeptides, enzyme co-factors, steroids, carbohydrates, organic species such as heparin, metal containing agents, receptor agonists, receptor antagonists, binding proteins, receptors or portions of receptors, extracellular matrix proteins, cell surface molecules, antigens, haptens, targeting groups, and chelating agents. All references to receptors include all forms of the receptor whenever more than a single form exists.

[0046] “Polypeptides” and “proteins” are used herein synonymously and mean any compound that is substantially proteinaceous in nature. However, a polypeptidic group may contain some non-peptidic elements. For example, glycosylated polypeptides or synthetically modified proteins are included within the definition. “Targeting groups” can direct a compound to a location in a biological system. Binding proteins and receptors can be described by their affinity for a certain ligand.

[0047] Many polypeptides useful in the present invention are set forth in published PCT Publication No. WO 92/16221, specifically incorporated herein by reference. These proteins are well known in the art. Particularly useful polypeptides are the TNF binding proteins, also called TNF inhibitors. A “TNF binding protein” is defined herein to mean a protein that binds TNF.

[0048] One TNF binding protein (“TNFbp”) is the extracellular portion of the p55 TNF receptor or the TNF receptor I. In vivo, the extracellular portion of the receptor is shed and circulates in the bloodstream as a 30 kDa glycosylated protein which binds to TNF. This binding protein is also referred to TNFbp-I or the 30 kDa TNFbp. The purification and amino acid and nucleic acid sequences of this TNF binding protein are set forth in published European Patent Application No. 90 113 673.9, which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0049] This published reference also teaches the recombinant production of glycosylated and deglycosylated forms of this TNF inhibitor. Although the actual molecular weight of the deglycosylated form of this inhibitor is approximately 18 kDa, the term “30 kDa TNF inhibitor” includes the glycosylated and deglycosylated forms.

[0050] As used herein, the terms “naturally-occurring,” “native,” and “wild-type” are synonymous.

[0051] European Patent Application No. 90 113 673.9, incorporated herein by reference, also sets forth the purification and amino acid and nucleic acid sequences of another TNF inhibitor, called the 40 kDa TNF inhibitor. Also called TNFbp-II, this inhibitor, in its naturally-occurring form, is the glycosylated extracellular portion of the p75 or p85 TNF receptor. European Patent Application No. 90 112 673.9 also teaches the recombinant production of the glycosylated and deglycosylated forms of this “40 kDa” inhibitor. The nucleic and amino acid sequences of the native 40 kDa TNF inhibitor are set forth in this published reference. Although the molecular weight of the deglycosylated form is not 40 kDa, both the glycosylated and deglycosylated forms of this TNFbp are referred to as “40 kDa TNF inhibitor.”

[0052] European Patent Application No. 90 112 673.9, incorporated herein by reference, further teaches the recombinant production of two TNF inhibitors which are portions of the full length “40 kDa” binding protein. These two truncates are called the Δ51 and “Δ53” TNF inhibitors. The amino acid and nucleic acid sequences of the Δ51 and Δ53 inhibitors are set forth in this published reference.

[0053] Other particularly useful polypeptides include the interleukin-1 receptor antagonists (“IL-1ra's”), as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,075,222, incorporated herein by reference, insulin-like growth factor binding proteins (“IGFbps”), CTLA4, and exon six of platelet derived growth factor (“PDGF”), glial derived neurotrophic factor (“GDNF”), ciliary neurotrophic factor (“CNTF”), interleukin-4 receptor (“IL-4r), and inhibitors, and interleukin-1 receptor (“IL-2r”). The nucleic acid encoding the naturally occurring IL-1ra and a method for expressing the protein in E. Coli. are set forth in U.S. Pat. No. 5,075,222 of Hannum et al.

[0054] Characteristics of the IL-2 receptors and CR1, the nucleic acids encoding them, and methods for their production are discussed in published PCT Publication No. WO 92/16221, specifically incorporated herein by reference.

[0055] The biologically-active molecules linked to polymers in the conjugates of the present invention have a reactive thiol moiety prior to forming the linkage. A “reactive thiol moiety” means a —SH group capable of reacting with the activated polymers as described herein.

[0056] An example of a reactive thiol is the —SH of the amino acid cysteine. Many proteins do not have free cysteines (cysteines not involved in disulfide bonding) or any other reactive thiol group. In addition, the cysteine thiol may not be appropriate for linkage to the polymer because the thiol is necessary for biological activity. In addition, proteins must be folded into a certain conformation for activity. In the active conformation, a cysteine can be inaccessible for reaction with sulfone because it is buried in the interior of the protein. Moreover, even an accessible cysteine thiol which is not necessary for activity can be an inappropriate site to form a linkage to the polymer. Amino acids not essential for activity are termed “nonessential.” Nonessential cysteines can be inappropriate conjugation sites because the cysteine's position relative to the active site results in the polypeptide becoming inactive after conjugation to polymer. Like proteins, many other biologically-active molecules have reactive thiols which, for reasons similar to those recited above, are not suitable for conjugation to the polymer or contain no reactive thiol groups.

[0057] Accordingly, the present invention contemplates the introduction of reactive thiol groups into a biologically-active molecule when necessary or desirable. Thiol groups can also be introduced into an inactive molecule to form a biologically-active molecule as long as the thiol-sulfone link does not destroy the desired activity.

[0058] Reactive thiol groups can be introduced by chemical means well known in the art. Chemical modification can be used with polypeptides or non-peptidic molecules and includes the introduction of thiol alone or as part of a larger group, for example a cysteine residue, into the molecule. An example of chemically introducing thiol is set forth in Jue, R. et al., Biochemistry 17, pp. 5399-5406 (1978). One can also generate a free cysteine in a polypeptide by chemically reducing cystine with, for example, DTT.

[0059] Polypeptides which are modified to contain an amino acid residue in a position where one was not present in the native protein before modification is called a “mutein.” To create cysteine muteins, a nonessential amino acid can be substituted with a cysteine or a cysteine residue can be added to the polypeptide. Potential sites for introduction of a non-native cysteine include glycosylation sites and the N or C terminus of the polypeptide. The mutation of lysine to cysteine is also appropriate because lysine residues are often found on the surface of a protein in its active conformation. In addition, one skilled in the art can use any information known about the binding or active site of the polypeptide in the selection of possible mutation sites.

[0060] One skilled in the art can also use well known recombinant DNA techniques to create cysteine muteins. One can alter the nucleic acid encoding the native polypeptide to encode the mutein by standard site directed mutagenesis. Examples of standard mutagenesis techniques are set forth in Kunkel, T. A., Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci., Vol. 82, pp. 488-492 (1985) and Kunkel, T. A. et al., Methods Enzymol., Vol. 154, pp. 367-382 (1987), both of which are incorporated herein by reference. Alternatively, one can chemically synthesize the nucleic acid encoding the mutein by techniques well known in the art. DNA synthesizing machines can be used and are available, for example, from Applied Biosystems (Foster City, Calif.). The nucleic acid encoding the desired mutein can be expressed in a variety of expression systems, including animal, insect, and bacterial systems.

[0061] When the mutein is recombinantly produced in a bacterial expression system, the following steps are performed:

[0062] 1) The nucleic acid encoding the desired mutein is created by site directed mutagenesis of the nucleic acid encoding the native polypeptide;

[0063] 2) The nucleic acid encoding the desired mutein is expressed in a bacterial expression system;

[0064] 3) The mutein is isolated from the bacteria and purified;

[0065] 4) If not folded properly, the mutein is refolded in the presence of cysteine or another sulphydryl containing compound;

[0066] 5) The refolded mutein is isolated and purified;

[0067] 6) The purified and refolded target mutein is treated with a mild reducing agent;

[0068] 7) The reaction mixture is dialyzed in the absence of oxygen.

[0069] As discussed below, the mutein can be isolated from the reaction mixture prior to conjugation with polymer but need not be. A reducing agent particularly useful in step 6 is dithiothreitol (“DTT”) or Tris-(carboxyethylphosphine) (“TCEP”). TCEP is useful because it does not have to be removed before conjugation with a thiol-specific PEG reagent. See Burns, J. A. et al., J. Org. Chem., Vol.56, No. 8, pp. 2648-2650 (1991).

[0070] After creation of the desired mutein, one skilled in the art can bioassay the mutein and compare activity of the mutein relative to the native polypeptide. As more fully discussed below, even if the relative activity of the mutein is diminished, the conjugate formed from the mutein can be particularly useful. For example, the conjugate can have increased solubility, reduced antigenicity or immunogenicity, or reduced clearance time in a biological system relative to the unconjugated molecule. Such improvements in the pharmacokinetic performance of the biologically-active molecule can increase the molecule's value in various therapeutic applications. Increased solubility can also improve the value of the molecule for in-vitro diagnostic applications.

[0071] Table 1 lists muteins of IL-1ra that have been produced. The preparation and purification of IL-1ra muteins are set forth in published PCT Patent Publication No. WO 92/16221, specifically incorporated herein by reference. The residue numbering is based upon the sequence set forth in that published application with “0” denoting addition of an amino acid at the N-terminus; “c” referring to cysteine and “s” referring to serine. For example, “c0s116” means a cysteine was inserted at the N terminus and a serine was inserted at position 116. Native IL-1ra has free cysteine residues at positions 66, 69, 116 and 122. TABLE 1 MUTEINS OF IL-1ra c0s116 c0  c84s116 c6  c8s116 c8  c9s116 c9  c141s116 c141

[0072] Table 2 shows muteins of the 30 kDa TNF inhibitor which have also been prepared. The native 30 kDa TNF inhibitor, unlike IL-Ira, does not have any free cysteine residues. These muteins have been prepared as set forth in published PCT Publication No. WO 92/16221, specifically incorporated herein by reference, and the numbering is based upon the amino acid sequence set forth therein. TABLE 2 MUTEINS OF 30 kDa TNF INHIBITOR c105 30 kDa TNF inhibitor  c1 30 kDa TNF inhibitor  c14 30 kDa TNF inhibitor c111 30 kDa TNF inhibitor c161 30 kDa TNF inhibitor

[0073] The muteins and other polypeptides of the present invention include allelic variations in the protein sequence and substantially equivalent proteins. “Substantially equivalent,” means possessing a very high degree of amino acid residue homology (See generally, M. Dayhoff, Atlas of Protein Sequence and Structure, vol. 5, p. 124 (1972), National Biochemical Research Foundation, Washington, D.C., specifically incorporated herein by references) as well as possessing comparable biological activity. Also included within the scope of this invention are truncated forms of the native polypeptide or mutein that substantially retain the biological activity of the native polypeptide or mutein.

[0074] The conjugates of the present invention contain, in addition to biologically-active molecules having reactive thiol moieties, non-peptidic polymeric derivatives having active sulfone moieties. “Non-peptidic” means having less than 50% by weight of a amino acid residues.

[0075] The polymer portion of the polymeric derivative can be, for example, polyethylene glycol (“PEG”), polypropylene glycol (“PPG”), polyoxyethylated glycerol (“POG”) and other polyoxyethylated polyols, polyvinyl alcohol (“PVA) and other polyalkylene oxides, polyoxyethylated sorbitol, or polyoxyethylated glucose. The polymer can be a homopolymer, a random or block copolymer, a terpolymer based on the monomers listed above, straight chain or branched, substituted or unsubstituted as long as it has at least one active sulfone moiety. The polymeric portion can be of any length or molecular weight but these characteristics can affect the biological properties. Polymer average molecular weights particularly useful for decreasing clearance rates in pharmaceutical applications are in the range of 2,000 to 35,000 daltons. In addition, if two groups are linked to the polymer, one at each end, the length of the polymer can impact upon the effective distance, and other spatial relationships, between the two groups. Thus, one skilled in the art can vary the length of the polymer to optimize or confer the desired biological activity. If the polymer is a straight chain PEG, particularly useful lengths of polymers, represented by (Z)_(n), where Z is the monomeric unit of the polymer, include n having a range of 50-500. In certain embodiments of the present invention, n is greater than 6 and preferably greater than 10.

[0076] Monomethoxy polyethylene glycol is designated here as MPEG. The term “PEG” means any of several condensation polymers of ethylene glycol. PEG is also known as polyoxyethylene, polyethylene oxide, polyglycol, and polyether glycol. PEG can also be prepared as copolymers of ethylene oxide and many other monomers. For many biological or biotechnical applications, substantially linear, straight-chain vinyl sulfone activated PEG will be used which is substantially unsubstituted except for the vinyl sulfone.

[0077] PEG is useful in biological applications for several reasons. PEG typically is clear, colorless, odorless, soluble in water, stable to heat, inert to many chemical agents, does not hydrolyze, and is nontoxic. PEGylation can improve pharmacokinetic performance of a molecule by increasing the molecule's apparent molecular weight. The increased apparent molecular weight reduces the rate of clearance from the body following subcutaneous or systemic administration. In many cases, PEGylation can decrease antigenicity and immunogenicity. In addition, PEGylation can increase the solubility of a biologically-active molecule.

[0078] The polymeric derivatives of the present invention have active sulfone moieties. “Active sulfone” means a sulfone group to which a two carbon group is bonded having a reactive site for thiol-specific coupling on the second carbon from the sulfone group at about pH 9 or less. Examples of active sulfones include, but are not limited to, vinyl sulfone and activated ethyl sulfone. An example of an active ethyl sulfone is —SO₂—CH₂—CH₂-Z where Z is halogen or another leaving group capable of substitution by thiol to form the sulfone-thiol linkage —SO₂—CH₂—CH₂—R, where R represents a biologically active molecule. The sulfone-activated polymer can be further substituted as long as the thiol-specific reactivity at the second carbon is maintained at about pH 9 or less.

[0079] The sulfone-activated polymers of the present invention can be synthesized in at least four steps. Briefly, the first step is to increase the reactivity of a site on the polymer, typically an end group, by, for example, activation or substitution. The second step is to link sulfur directly to a carbon atom in-the polymer in a form that can be converted to an ethyl sulfone or ethyl sulfone derivative having similar reactive properties. In the third step, the sulfur is oxidized to sulfone. In the fourth step, the second carbon from the sulfone group is activated.

[0080] The synthesis of a sulfone-activated polymer is described in more detail below using the synthesis of a sulfone-activated PEG as an example. The first step is the hydroxyl activation of an hydroxyl moiety in the PEG. The term “hydroxyl activation” should be interpreted herein to mean substitution as well as esterification and other methods of hydroxyl activation. Typically, in hydroxyl activation, an acid or an acid derivative such as an acid halide is reacted with the PEG to form a reactive ester in which the PEG and the acid moiety are linked through the ester linkage. The acid moiety generally is more reactive than the hydroxyl moiety. Typical esters are the sulfonate, carboxylate, and phosphate esters.

[0081] Sulfonyl acid halides that are suitable for use in the invention include, for example, methanesulfonyl chloride (also known as mesyl chloride) and p-toluene-sulfonyl chloride (also known as tosyl chloride). Methanesulfonate esters are sometimes referred to as mesylates. Toluenesulfonate esters are sometimes referred to as tosylates.

[0082] In a substitution type of hydroxyl activation, the entire hydroxyl group on the PEG is substituted by a more reactive moiety, typically a halide. For example, thionyl chloride, can be reacted with PEG to form a more reactive chlorine substituted PEG.

[0083] Thus, when PEG is the starting material, the typical reaction product of the first step is an ester or halide-substituted PEG.

[0084] In the second step, the ester or halide is substituted by an alcohol which contains a reactive thiol attached to an ethyl group, a thioethanol moiety. Thioethanol is an example of a suitable alcohol. In this step, the sulfur in the thiol is bonded directly to a carbon on the polymer.

[0085] Next, in the third step, the sulfur is oxidized to sulfone. Useful oxidizing agents include, for example, hydrogen peroxide, sodium perborate, or peroxy acids.

[0086] In the fourth step, the hydroxyl moiety of the alcohol used in step two is activated. This step is similar to the first step in the reaction sequence. Substitution typically is with halide to form a haloethyl sulfone or a derivative thereof having a reactive site on the second carbon removed from the sulfone moiety. Typically, the second carbon on the ethyl group will be activated by a chloride or bromide halogen. Hydroxyl activation should provide a site of similar reactivity, such as the sulfonate ester. Suitable reactants are, for example, the acids, acid halides, and others previously mentioned in discussing the first step in the reaction. Thionyl chloride is particularly useful for substitution of the hydroxyl group with the chlorine atom.

[0087] The resulting polymeric activated ethyl sulfone is stable, isolatable, and suitable for thiol-selective coupling reactions. PEG chloroethyl sulfone is stable in water at a pH of about 7 or less, but nevertheless can be used to advantage for thiol-selective coupling reactions at conditions of basic pH up to at least about pH 9. At a pH of above about 9, the thiol selectivity is diminished and the sulfone moiety becomes somewhat more reactive with amino groups. The linkage formed upon reaction with thiol is also hydrolytically stable.

[0088] In a fifth step that can be added to the synthesis, the activated ethyl sulfone is reacted with a base to from PEG vinyl sulfone or one of its active derivatives for thiol-selective coupling. Suitable bases include, for example, sodium hydroxide or triethylamine. Like activated ethyl sulfones, vinyl sulfone is hydrolytically stable, isolatable, thiol-selective, and forms hydrolytically-stable linkages upon reaction with thiol.

[0089] As used herein, “hydrolytically stable” means that the linkage between the polymer and the sulfone moiety and between the sulfone-thiol after conjugation does not react with water at a pH of less than about 11 for at least three days. Hydrolytic stability is desirable because, if the rate of hydrolysis is significant, the polymer can be deactivated before the reaction between polymer and the thiol of the biologically-active molecule takes place.

[0090] As mentioned above, for example, a linear PEG with active sites at each end will attach to a protein at one end, but, if the rate of hydrolysis is significant, will react with water at the other end to become capped with a relatively nonreactive hydroxyl moiety, rather than forming a “dumbbell” molecular structure with attached proteins or other desirable groups on each end. A similar problem arises when coupling a molecule to a surface by a PEG linking agent because the PEG is first attached to the surface or couples to the molecule, and the opposite end of the PEG derivative must remain active for a subsequent reaction. If hydrolysis is a problem, then the opposite end typically becomes inactivated.

[0091] Alternatively, the sulfone-activated derivatives can be prepared by attaching a linking agent having a sulfone moiety to a PEG (or other polymer) activated with a different functional group. For example, an amino activated PEG can be reacted under favorable conditions of pH of about 9 or less with a small molecule that has a succinimidyl active ester moiety at one terminus and vinyl sulfone at the other terminus. The amino-activated PEG forms a stable linkage with the succinimidyl ester. The resulting PEG is activated with the vinyl sulfone at the terminus and is hydrolytically stable: PEG-NH—OC—CH₂—CH₂—SO₂CH═CH₂.

[0092] A similar activated PEG can be achieved by reacting an amine-reactive PEG such as succinimidyl active ester PEG, PEG-CO₂—NHS, with a small molecule that has an amine moiety at one terminus and a vinyl sulfone moiety at the other terminus.

[0093] PEG chloroethyl sulfone and PEG vinyl sulfone were prepared as set forth in Example 1. Thiol-selective reactivity of PEG vinyl sulfone and chloroethyl sulfone is shown in Example 2. Hydrolytic stability of the polymer-sulfone linkage of two compounds is shown in Example 3. Hydrolytic stability of the linkage between thiol and sulfone is shown in Example 16.

[0094] When the polymer does not have an hydoxyl moiety, one can first be added by chemical methods well known in the art before carrying out the steps described above.

[0095] The activated polymeric derivatives of the present invention can have more than one reactive group. The derivatives can be monofunctional, bifunctional, or multifunctional. The reactive groups may be the same (homofunctional) or different (heterofunctional) as long as there is at least one active sulfone moiety.

[0096] Two particularly useful homobifunctional derivatives are PEG-bis-chlorosulfone and PEG-bis-vinyl sulfone. One skilled in the art can synthesize those molecules using PEG having hydroxyl moieties at each end as a starting material and following the general method set forth above.

[0097] Heterobifunctional derivatives can also be synthesized. Two particularly useful heterobifunctional derivatives include, for example, a linear PEG with either a vinyl sulfone or a maleimide at one end and an N-hydroxysuccinimide ester (“NHS-ester”) at the other end. The NHS-ester is amine-specific. PEG having an NHS-ester at one end and an activated sulfone moiety at the other can be attached to both lysine and cysteine residues. A stable amine linkage can be achieved, leaving the hydrolytically-stable unreacted sulfone available for subsequent reaction with thiol. Those two heterobifunctional PEG derivatives have been synthesized as described in Examples 5 and 6. If the maleimide NHS-ester heterobifunctional reagent is made using straight-chain PEG, represented by (Z)_(a), where Z is the monomeric unit, n is greater than 6 and preferably greater than 10.

[0098] Other active groups for heterofunctional sulfone-activated PEGs can be selected from among a wide variety of compounds. For biological and biotechnical applications, the substituents would typically be selected from reactive moieties typically used in PEG chemistry to activate PEG such as the aldehydes, trifluoroethylsulfonate (sometimes called tresylate), n-hydroxylsuccinimide ester, cyanuric chloride, cyanuric fluoride, acyl azide, succinate, the pdiazo benzyl group, the 3-(p-diazophenyloxy)-2-hydroxy propyloxy group, and others.

[0099] Examples of active moieties other than sulfone are shown in Davis et al. U.S. Pat. No. 4,179,337; Lee et al. U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,296,097 and 4,430,260; Iwasali et al. 4,670,417; Katre et al. U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,766,106; 4,917,888; and 4,931,544; Nadagawa et al. U.S. Pat. No. 4,791,192; Nitecki et al. U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,902,502 and 5,089,261; Saifer U.S. Pat. No. 5,080,891; Zalipsky U.S. Pat. No. 5,122,614; Shadle et al. U.S. Pat. No. 5,153,265; Rhee et al. U.S. Pat. No. 5,162,430; European Patent Application Publication No. 0 247 860; and PCT International Application Nos. US86/01252; GB89/01261; GB89/01262; GB89/01263; US90/03252; US90/06843; US91/06103; US92/00432; and US92/02047, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0100] An example of a trifunctional derivative is a glycerol backbone to which three vinyl sulfone PEG moieties are attached. This molecule can be represented by the formula:

[0101] This derivative was prepared as described in Example 12.

[0102] Another example of a mutifunctional derivative is the “star” molecule. Star molecules are generally described in Merrill U.S. Pat. No. 5,171,264, incorporated herein by reference. Star molecules have a core structure to which multiple PEG chains or “arms” are attached. The sulfone moieties can be used to provide an active, functional group on the end of the PEG chain extending from the core and as a linker for joining a functional group or other moiety to the star molecule arms.

[0103] It should be apparent to the skilled artisan that the activated polymers discussed above could be used to carry a wide variety of substituents and combinations of substituents.

[0104] As stated above, the conjugates of the present invention are formed by reacting thiol-containing biologically-active molecules with sulfone-activated polymers. The linkage between the thiol reactive group and the sulfone-activated polymer is a covalent bond.

[0105] A general method for preparing the conjugates of the present invention includes the following steps:

[0106] (1) Choose the desired biologically-active molecule and determine if the molecule possesses a free thiol group by means well known in the art. See, for example, Allen, G., “Sequencing of Proteins and Peptides,” pp. 153-54, in Laboratory Techniques in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Work, T. S., and Burdon, R. H., eds. (1972), incorporated herein by reference. If the molecule has a free thiol, proceed to step 3. If the molecule has no free thiol, proceed to step 2.

[0107] (2) If no free thiol exists in the molecule, add thiol as discussed above. After adding thiol, perform a bioassay to determine if the desired biological activity or a portion of the biological activity is retained.

[0108] (3) Synthesize the desired sulfone-activated polymer as discussed above.

[0109] (4) React the activated polymer with the molecule having a free thiol.

[0110] (5) Isolate the reaction product using chromatographic techniques well known in the art. For protein conjugates, see, for example, Scopes, R., Protein Purification, Cantor, C. R. ed., Springer-Verlag, New York (1982). For nonprotein molecules, see, for example, Still, W. C. et al., J. Org. Chem., 43, pp.2923-2925 (1978). If no conjugate forms, add thiol to another location on the biologically-active molecule and repeat steps (4) and (5).

[0111] (6) Determine biological activity of the conjugate formed using the relevant bioassay.

[0112] One skilled in the art can add or delete certain steps. For example, one skilled in the art might not assay bioactivity in step 2 or might presume biological activity after PEGylation based upon previous experiments. The skilled artisan can also add the step of varying the size, length, or molecular weight of the linker to optimize or confer biological activity.

[0113] Several conjugates have been prepared. The 30 kDa TNFbp c105 mutein described above was conjugated with PEG vinyl sulfone as described in Example 10. Example 8 shows that native IL-Ira, which contains four free cysteines, reacted under similar conditions. The c84 IL-1ra mutein also reacted well. Example 13 shows the conjugation of three 30 kDa TNF inhibitor muteins to three PEG chains bonded to a glycerol backbone.

[0114] The conjugates of the present invention can be used for a variety of purposes including, but not limited to, in-vitro diagnostic assays and the preparation of pharmaceutical compositions. Many of the conjugates of the present invention have at least one of the following characteristics relative to the unconjugated molecule:

[0115] (1) increased solubility in aqueous solution;

[0116] (2) reduced antigenicity or immunogenicity;

[0117] (3) reduced rate of clearance following subcutaneous or systemic administration due to increased apparent molecular weight.

[0118] Pharmaceutical preparations of conjugates containing IL-1ra are particularly useful. IL-Ira, alone or in combination with the 30 kDa TNF binding protein, can be used to treat arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, septic shock, ischemia injury, reperfusion injury, osteoporosis, asthma, insulin diabetes, myelogenous and other leukemias, psoriasis, adult respiratory distress syndrome, cachexia/anorexia, and pulmonary fibrosis.

[0119] Conjugates containing TNF binding proteins (“TNFbps”) are also particularly useful. Such conjugates can be used to treat TNF-mediated diseases such as adult respiratory distress syndrome, pulmonary fibrosis, arthritis, septic shock, inflammatory bowel disease, multiple sclerosis, graft rejection and hemorrhagic trauma.

[0120] The biologically active conjugates of the present invention can further include non-biologically active moieties.

[0121] The present invention also includes substantially purified compounds having the formula R₁—X—R₂, where at least one of R₁ and R₂ is a biologically-active molecule having a reactive thiol moiety which forms a covalent bond with X, a Michael acceptor-activated polymer. In the present invention, the biological activity of R₁—X—R₂ retains the biological activity of R₁ or R₁. Molecules having the formula R₁—X—R₂ are referred to herein as “dumbbell” molecules.

[0122] As stated above, the compounds of the present invention are substantially purified. “Substantially purified” as used herein means a “homogenous composition.” A homogenous composition contains molecules of R₁—X—R₂ and is substantially free from compounds that (1) deviate in the composition of R₁ or R₂, or (2) are linked together by more than one activated polymer. The homogeneous composition can contain molecules of R₁—X—R₂ which differ in the length of X. For straight-chain polymers, represented by (Z)_(a), where Z is the monomeric unit, n is greater than 6 and preferably greater than 10. To have a homogeneous composition, R₁ and R₂ need not be attached to X at the same location on X or on the same location on either R group.

[0123] X is a non-peptidic polymer having a first reactive group and a second reactive group. A “reactive group” is a group capable of reacting with R. At least one reactive group on X is a Michael-type acceptor. The terms “reactive group” and “functional group” are used herein synonymously. The terms “Michael acceptor” and “Michael-type acceptor” are also used herein synonymously. Polymers suitable for use in the present invention are also discussed above and include, for example, PEG, POG, and PVA.

[0124] “Michael acceptors” are functional groups susceptible to Michael addition. “Michael addition” involves a nucleophilic attack on an electrophilic center which is adjacent to a pi system, having an electronegative atom. Examples of pi systems having an electronegative atom include sulfoxide, sulfonyl, carbonyl and heterocyclic aromatics. The nucleophile adds to the electrophilic center.

[0125] Michael acceptors can be represented by the formula:

[0126] where E is an electronegative atom. Addition takes place at the 4 position to form the following:

[0127] where N_(u) represents the nucleophile now bonded to the atom at position 4. Michael acceptor functional groups include, but are not limited to, maleimide and vinyl sulfone. The activated polymer from which a dumbbell is formed can, but need not, contain a vinyl sulfone species of Michael acceptor.

[0128] Activated polymers of the present invention include PEG having two or more Michael acceptor groups, including for example, PEG-bis-vinyl sulfone and PEG-bis-maleimide. PEG-bis-vinyl sulfone has been prepared as described in Examples 7. PEG-bis-maleimide has been prepared as described in PCT Publication No. WO 92/16221, incorporated herein by reference.

[0129] At least one of R₁ and R₂ is biologically active prior to coupling to X or to X—R. “Biologically active” has the same definition recited above. As stated above, biologically active molecules include, but are not limited to, binding proteins and targeting groups.

[0130] Both R₁ and R₂ can be biologically active but need not be. In some cases, if R₁ and R₂ have an affinity for the same ligand, the dumbbell can have a greater affinity for that ligand than either R₁ or R₂ alone. Published PCT Publication No. WO 92/16221 shows that the homodumbbell containing two molecules of 30 kDa TNFbp linked by a PEG polymer is better at inhibiting cytotoxicity of TNFs in in-vitro assays than the 30 kDa molecule alone.

[0131] In certain cases, R₁ can be a molecule which directs the compound R₁—X—R₂ to a certain location in a biological system and R₂ can have an affinity for a ligand in that location.

[0132] Alternatively, only one of R₁ and R₂ can be biologically active in the compound R₁—X—R₂. The nonbiologically-active group can be a surface or any other biologically-inert molecule or compound.

[0133] In the present invention, the biologically active R group has a reactive thiol moiety.

[0134] The biologically active R group can be a synthetic molecule. As used herein, the term “synthetic molecule” means a molecule to which a reactive thiol moiety has been added.

[0135] Synthetic molecules include, for example, muteins containing a non-native cysteine. The thiol moiety reacts with a Michael-type acceptor of the polymer to form a covalent bond.

[0136] After formation of this covalent bond, the biologically-active molecule retains its biological activity. The R group “retains its biological activity” within the meaning of the invention if, after reaction with activated polymer, it has at least one tenth of the biological activity it had before reaction with polymer, preferably at least 40%, and more preferably at least 60%.

[0137] A general method for producing dumbbells follows:

[0138] (1) Choose an R group possessing the desired biological activity, for example, a protein such as tumor necrosis factor binding protein (TNFbp).

[0139] (2) Measure activity using the relevant bioassay.

[0140] (3) Determine the number of free sulfhydryl groups, for example, cysteine residues not involved in disulfide bonding, using generally known methods in the art. One such method is described in Allen, G., “Sequencing of proteins and peptides,” pp. 153-54, in Laboratory Techniques in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Work, T. S., and Burdon, R. H., eds. (1972). If there are no free cysteines, proceed to step 4(a). If there is one free cysteine, or only one accessible to the PEGylation reagent, proceed to the reaction step in 4(c). If the protein has more than one free cysteine, go to step 5.

[0141] (4) When R is polypeptide and no free cysteines exist:

[0142] (a) Create a mutein by inserting a cysteine or replacing a non-cysteine residue with a cysteine. Useful mutation sites include the N or C terminal ends of the protein, glycosylation sites, or lysine residues. Muteins can be routinely made, as stated above, by chemical synthesis or recombinant technology. Alternatively, chemically add a thiol moiety.

[0143] (b) Measure activity and compare that activity with the activity measured in step 2.

[0144] (c) If the mutein retains the activity measured in step 2, react the mutein with a polymer, such as PEG, having a single sulfhydryl-preferred reactive group. If the mutein bonds to the mono-reactive PEG (becomes PEGylated), measure activity and compare that activity with the activity measured in step 2. If the PEGylated mutein retains the activity measured in step 2, react the unPEGylated mutein with a PEG having two thiol-specific Michael Acceptors, such as bis-maleimide, to create dumbbell molecules. Repeat the bioassay to confirm that the dumbbells retain biological activity.

[0145] If one skilled in the art desires that R₁ and R₂ be different, the bis-reactive polymeric group can be reacted in series with R₁ and then R₂. Prior to reacting polymer with R₁, one of the two functional groups of the polymer is blocked or protected by means well known in the chemical arts to form a protected group on X. See, for example, Greene, T. W. et al., Protective Groups in Organic Synthesis, John Wiley and Sons, Inc. (1991), incorporated herein by reference. In this context, “protected” means the functional group is not available for reaction. When X having a protected group is reacted with R₁, R₁—X, and not R₁—X—R₁, is formed. After R₁—X is formed, the blocking or protecting group is removed prior to reaction with R₂. “Deprotected” means the protective group is removed or the functional group is otherwise made available for reaction.

[0146] Alternatively, heterodumbbells can be formed by reacting R₁ with an excess of the bis-activated polymer to force R₁-X formation. After reaction, R₁—X is separated from the reaction mixture using chromatographic techniques well known in the art, including, for example, ion exchange chromatography. R₁—X is then reacted with R₂ to form R₁—X—R₂.

[0147] (d) If the mutein created in step 4(a) or the PEGylated mutein formed in step 4(c) does not substantially retain biological activity, start with the native protein, create a different mutein, and repeat steps 4(b) and 4(c). In addition, the length or molecular weight of the polymer X can be changed to optimize or confer biological activity.

[0148] (5) For proteins with more than one free cysteine, monoPEGylate, bioassay, and react with the bifunctional PEGylation reagent. If higher-ordered structures are formed, i.e. more than two proteins are PEG-linked, separate the dumbbells via chromatographic methods known in the art. Where such separation is undesirable for any reason, delete or replace a free cysteine with another amino acid and proceed to step 4(b).

[0149] (6) For non-protein biologically-active R groups, exploit free sulfhydryl groups for attachment to the polymer X. Add free sulfhydryl groups to the molecule if necessary or desirable.

[0150] One skilled in the art might choose to modify, add or delete certain steps. For example, one might choose to react active proteins with a bifunctional-PEG and skip the monoPEGylation step.

[0151] Several dumbbell molecules of the present invention have been prepared. Published PCT Application No. WO 92/16221, which is incorporated herein by reference, sets forth the preparation of the following dumbbells prepared using bis-maleimido-PEG: 30 kDa TNF inhibitor homodumbbells, 11-2 inhibitor heterodumbbell, heterodumbbells which inhibit the classical pathway of the complement system, and IL-Ira and PDGF heterodumbbells.

[0152] Pharmaceutical compositions containing many of the conjugates or compounds (collectively, the “conjugates”) of the present invention can be prepared. These conjugates can be in a pharmaceutically-acceptable carrier to form the pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention. The term “pharmaceutically acceptable carrier” as used herein means a non-toxic, generally inert vehicle for the active ingredient, which does not adversely affect the ingredient or the patient to whom the composition is administered. Suitable vehicles or carriers can be found in standard pharmaceutical texts, for example, in Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences, 16th ed., Mack Publishing Co., Easton, Pa. (1980), incorporated herein by reference. Such carriers include, for example, aqueous solutions such as bicarbonate buffers, phosphate buffers, Ringer's solution and physiological saline. In addition, the carrier can contain other pharmaceutically-acceptable excipients for modifying or maintaining the pH, osmolarity, viscosity, clarity, color, sterility, stability, rate of dissolution, or odor of the formulation.

[0153] The pharmaceutical compositions can be prepared by methods known in the art, including, by way of an example, the simple mixing of reagents. Those skilled in the art will know that the choice of the pharmaceutical carrier and the appropriate preparation of the composition depend on the intended use and mode of administration.

[0154] In one embodiment, it is envisioned that the carrier and the conjugate constitute a physiologically-compatible, slow-release formulation. The primary solvent in such a carrier can be either aqueous or non-aqueous in nature. In addition, the carrier can contain other pharmacologically-acceptable excipients for modifying or maintaining the pH, osmolarity, viscosity, clarity, color, sterility, stability, rate of dissolution, or odor of the formulation. Similarly, the carrier can contain still other pharmacologically-acceptable excipients for modifying or maintaining the stability, rate of dissolution, release, or absorption of the conjugate. Such excipients are those substances usually and customarily employed to formulate dosages for parenteral administration in either unit dose or multi-dose form.

[0155] Once the pharmaceutical composition has been formulated, it can be stored in sterile vials as a solution, suspension, gel, emulsion, solid, or dehydrated or lyophilized powder. Such formulations can be stored either in a ready to use form or requiring reconstitution immediately prior to administration. The preferred storage of such formulations is at temperatures at least as low as 4° C. and preferably at −70° C. It is also preferred that such formulations containing the conjugates are stored and administered at or near physiological pH. It is presently believed that administration in a formulation at a high pH (i.e. greater than 8) or at a low pH (i.e. less than 5) is undesirable.

[0156] The manner of administering the formulations containing the conjugates for systemic delivery can be via subcutaneous, intramuscular, intravenous, oral, intranasal, or vaginal or rectal suppository. Preferably the manner of administration of the formulations containing the conjugates for local delivery is via intraarticular, intratracheal, or instillation or inhalations to the respiratory tract. In addition it may be desirable to administer the conjugates to specified portions of the alimentary canal either by oral administration of the conjugates in an appropriate formulation or device.

[0157] In another suitable mode for the treatment of osteoporosis and other bone loss diseases, for example, an initial intravenous bolus injection of TNF inhibitor conjugate and IL-1 inhibitor conjugate is administered followed by a continuous intravenous infusion of TNF inhibitor conjugate and IL-1 inhibitor conjugate. For oral administration, the conjugate is encapsulated. The encapsulated conjugate can be formulated with or without pharmaceutically-acceptable carriers customarily used in the compounding of solid dosage forms. Preferably, the capsule is designed so that the active portion of the formulation is released at that point in the gastro-intestinal tract when bioavailability is maximized and pre-systemic degradation is minimized. Additional excipients can be included to facilitate absorption of the conjugate. Diluents, flavorings, low melting point waxes, vegetable oils, lubricants, suspending agents, tablet disintegrating agents, and binders can also be employed.

[0158] Regardless of the manner of administration, the specific dose is calculated according to the approximate body weight of the patient. Other factors in determining the appropriate dosage can include the disease or condition to be treated or prevented, route of administration and the age, sex and medical condition of the pateint. In certain embodiments, the dosage and administration is designed to create a preselected concentration range of the conjugate in the patient's blood stream. For example, it is believed that the maintenance of circulating concentrations of TNF inhibitor and IL-1 inhibitor of less than 0.01 ng per mL of plasma may not be an effective composition, while the prolonged maintenance of circulating levels in excess of 10 μg per mL may have undesirable side effects. Further refinement of the calculations necessary to determine the appropriate dosage for treatment involving each of the above mentioned formulations is routinely made by those of ordinary skill in the art and is within the ambit of tasks routinely performed by them without undue experimentation, especially in light of the dosage information and assays disclosed herein. These dosages may be ascertained through use of the established assays for determining dosages utilized in conjunction with appropriate dose-response data.

[0159] It should be noted that the conjugate formulations described herein may be used for veterinary as well as human applications and that the term “patient” should not be construed in a limiting manner. In the case of veterinary applications, the dosage ranges should be the same as specified above.

[0160] The following examples are illustrative of the invention and are not intended as limitations.

EXAMPLE 1 Synthesis

[0161] The reaction steps can be illustrated structurally as follows:

[0162] (1) PEG-OH+CH₃SO₂Cl→PEG-OSO₂CH₃

[0163] (2) PEG-OSO₂CH₃+HSCH₂CH₂OH→PEG-SCH₂CH₂OH

[0164] (3) PEG-SCH₂CH₂OH+H₂O₂→PEG-SO₂CH₂CH₂OH

[0165] (4) PEG-SO₂CH₂CH₂OH+SOCl₂→PEG-SO₂CH₂CH₂Cl

[0166] (5) PEG-SO₂CH₂CH₂Cl+NaOH→PEG-SO₂CH═CH₂+HCl

[0167] Each of the above reactions is described in detail below:

[0168] Reaction 1. Reaction 1 represents the preparation of the methane sulfonyl ester of polyethylene glycol, which can also be referred to as the methanesulfonate or mesylate of polyethylene glycol. The tosylate and the halides can be prepared by similar procedures, which are believed to be apparent to the skilled artisan.

[0169] To prepare the mesylate, twenty-five grams of PEG of molecular weight 3400 was dried by azeotropic distillation in 150 mL of toluene. Approximately half of the toluene was distilled off in drying the PEG. Forty mL of dry dichloromethane was added to the toluene and PEG solution, followed by cooling in an ice bath. To the cooled solution was added 1.23 mL of distilled methanesulfonyl chloride, which is an equivalent weight of 1.6 with respect to PEG hydroxyl groups, and 2.66 mL of dry triethylamine, which is an equivalent weight of 1.3 with respect to PEG hydroxyl groups. “Equivalent weight” as used above can be thought of as “combining weight” and refers to the weight of a compound that will react with an equivalent weight of PEG hydroxyl groups.

[0170] The reaction was permitted to run overnight during which time it warmed to room temperature. Triethylammonium hydrochloride precipitated and the precipitate was removed by filtration. Thereafter, the volume was reduced by rotary evaporation to 20 mL. The mesylate was precipitated by addition to 100 mL of cold dry ethyl ether. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) analysis showed 100% conversion of hydroxyl groups to mesylate groups.

[0171] Reaction 2. Reaction 2 represents the formation of polyethylene glycol mercaptoethanol by reaction of the mesylate with mercaptoethanol. The reaction causes the methanesulfonate radical to be displaced from the PEG. The sulfur in the mercaptoethanol radical is attached directly to the carbon in the carbon-carbon backbone of the PEG.

[0172] Twenty grams of the mesylate from reaction 1 was dissolved in 150 mL of distilled water. The solution of mesylate and water was cooled by immersion in an ice bath. To the cooled solution was added 2.37 mL of mercaptoethanol, which is 3 equivalent weights with respect to PEG hydroxyl groups. Also added was 16.86 mL of 2N NaOH base. The reaction was refluxed for 3 hours, which means that the vapors rising from the heated reaction were continuously condensed and allowed to flow back into the reaction.

[0173] The polyethylene glycol mercaptoethanol product was extracted three times with dichloromethane using approximately 25 mL of dichloromethane each time. The organic fractions were collected and dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate. The volume was reduced to 20 mL and the product was precipitated by addition to 150 mL of cold dry ether.

[0174] NMR analysis in d₆-DMSO (dimethyl sulfoxide) gave the following peaks for PEG-SCH₂CH₂OH: 2.57 ppm, triplet, —CH₂—S—; 2.65 ppm, triplet, —S—CH₂—; 3.5 ppm, backbone singlet; and 4.76 ppm, triplet, —OH. Integration of the peak for —S—CH₂— indicated 100% substitution.

[0175] Reaction 3. Reaction 3 represents peroxide oxidation of the polyethylene glycol mercaptoethanol product to convert the sulfur, S, to sulfone, SO₂. PEG-β-hydroxysulfone is produced.

[0176] Twenty grams of PEG-SCH₂CH₂OH was dissolved in 30 mL of 0.123M tungstic acid solution and cooled in an ice bath. The tungstic acid solution was prepared by dissolving the acid in sodium hydroxide solution of pH 11.5 and then adjusting the pH to 5.6 with glacial acetic acid. Twenty mL of distilled water and 2.88 mL of 30% hydrogen peroxide, which has an equivalent weight of 2.5 with respect to hydroxyl groups, was added to the solution of tungstic acid and polyethylene glycol mercaptoethanol and the reaction was permitted to warm overnight to room temperature.

[0177] The oxidized product was extracted three times with dichloromethane using 25 mL of dichloromethane each time. The collected organic fractions were washed with dilute aqueous sodium bicarbonate and dried with anhydrous magnesium sulfate. The volume was reduced to 20 mL. The PEG-β-hydroxysulfone product was precipitated by addition to cold dry ethyl ether.

[0178] NMR analysis in d₆-DMSO gave the following peaks for PEG-SCH₂CH₂OH: 3.25 ppm, triplet, —CH₂—; 3.37 ppm, triplet, —SO₂—CH₂—; 3.50 ppm, backbone; 3.77 ppm, triplet, —CH₂OH; 5.04 ppm, triplet, —OH. The hydroxyl peak at 5.04 ppm indicated 85% substitution. However, the peak at 3.37 ppm for —SO₂—CH₂— indicated 100% substitution and is considered to be more reliable.

[0179] Reaction 4. Reaction 4 represents the final step in synthesis, isolation, and characterization of polyethylene glycol chloroethyl sulfone.

[0180] To synthesize the product, twenty grams of PEG-SO₂CH₂CH₂OH, PEG-β-hydroxysulfone, was dissolved in 100 mL of freshly distilled thionyl chloride and the solution was refluxed overnight. The thionyl chloride had been distilled over quinoline. Excess thionyl chloride was removed by distillation. Fifty mL of toluene and 50 mL of dichloromethane were added and removed by distillation.

[0181] To isolate the product, the PEG chloroethyl sulfone was dissolved in 20 mL of dichloromethane and precipitated by addition to 100 mL of cold dry ethyl ether. The precipitate was recrystallized from 50 mL of ethyl acetate to isolate the product.

[0182] Nuclear magnetic resonance was used to characterize the product. NMR analysis of PEG-SO₂CH₂CH₂Cl in d₆-DMSO gave the following peaks: 3.50 ppm, backbone; 3.64 ppm, triplet, —CH₂SO₂-; 3.80 ppm, triplet, —SO₂-CH₂—. A small hydroxyl impurity triplet appeared at 3.94 ppm. Calculation of the percentage substitution was difficult for this spectrum because of the proximity of the important peaks to the very large backbone peak.

[0183] Reaction 5. Reaction 5 represents conversion of polyethylene glycol chloroethyl sulfone from reaction step 4 to polyethylene glycol vinyl sulfone and isolation and characterization of the vinyl sulfone product.

[0184] The PEG vinyl sulfone was readily prepared by dissolving solid PEG chloroethyl sulfone in dichloromethane solvent followed by addition of two equivalents of NaOH base. The solution was filtered to remove the base and the solvent was evaporated to isolate the final product PEG-SO₂—CH═CH₂, PEG vinyl sulfone.

[0185] The PEG vinyl sulfone was characterized by NMR analysis in d₆-DMSO dimethyl sulfoxide. NMR analysis showed the following peaks: 3.50 ppm, backbone; 3.73 ppm, triplet, —CH₂—SO₂—; 6.21 ppm, triplet, ═CH₂; 6.97 ppm, doublet of doublets, —SO₂—CH—. The 6.97 ppm peak for —SO₂—CH— indicated 84% substitution. The 6.21 ppm peak for ═CH₂ indicated 94% substitution. Titration with mercaptoethanol and 2,2′-dithiodipyridine indicated 95% substitution.

EXAMPLE 2 Thiol-Selective Reactivity

[0186] Example 2 shows that PEG vinyl sulfone and its precursor PEG chloroethyl sulfone are significantly more reactive with thiol groups (—SH) than with amino groups (—NH₂) or imino groups (—NH—). Compounds containing thiol groups are organic compounds that resemble alcohols, which contain the hydroxyl group —OH, except that in thiols, the oxygen of the hydroxyl group is replaced by sulfur. Thiols sometimes are also called sulfhydryls or mercaptans. PEG vinyl sulfone contains the vinyl sulfone group —SO₂—CH═CH₂. PEG chloroethyl sulfone contains the chloroethyl sulfone group —SO₂CH₂CH₂Cl.

[0187] Selectivity for thiols is important in protein modification because it means that cysteine units (containing —SH) will be modified in preference to lysine units (containing —NH₂) and histidine units (containing —NH—). The selectivity of PEG vinyl sulfone for thiols means that PEG can be selectively attached to cysteine units, thus preserving protein activity for specific proteins and controlling the number of PEG molecules attached to the protein.

[0188] The relative reactivity of PEG vinyl sulfone with thiol and amino groups was determined by measuring the rates of reaction of PEG vinyl sulfone with N-α-acetyl lysine methyl ester and with mercaptoethanol. N-α-acetyl lysine methyl ester is a lysine model containing an amino group and is abbreviated Lys-NH₂. Mercaptoethanol serves as a cysteine model containing a thiol group and is abbreviated Cys-SH. Relative reactivity of PEG chloroethyl sulfone was similarly determined. This molecule may serve as a “protected” form of the vinyl sulfone since it is stable in acid but converts to PEG vinyl sulfone upon addition of base.

[0189] Reactivity for PEG vinyl sulfone and for the PEG chloroethyl sulfone precursor was investigated at pH 8.0, pH 9.0, and at pH 9.5. Buffers for controlling the pH were 0.1 M phosphate at pH 8.0 and 0.1 M borate at pH 9.0 and at pH 9.5. For measurement of mercaptoethanol reactivity, 5 mM ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA) was added to both buffers to retard conversion of thiol to disulfide.

[0190] For reaction of the PEG derivatives of the invention with Lys-NH₂, a 3 mM solution of the PEG derivative was added under stirring to a 0.3 mM Lys-NH₂ solution in the appropriate buffer for each of the three levels of basic pH. The reaction was monitored by addition of fluorescamine to the reaction solution to produce a fluorescent derivative from reaction with remaining amino groups. The monitoring step was performed by adding 50 μL of reaction to 1.95 mL of phosphate buffer of pH 8.0 followed by adding 1.0 mL of fluorescamine solution under vigorous stirring. The fluorescamine solution was 0.3 mg fluorescamine per mL of acetone.

[0191] Fluorescence was measured 10 minutes after mixing. Excitation was at wavelength 390 nm. Light emission occurred at 475 nm. No reaction was observed in 24 hours for either PEG vinyl sulfone or PEG chloroethyl sulfone at pH 8.0. At pH 9.5 the reaction was slow, but all amino groups were reacted after several days.

[0192] For reaction of the PEG vinyl sulfone and PEG chloroethyl sulfone precursor with Cys-SH, a 2 mM solution of the PEG derivative was added to a 0.2 mM solution of Cys-SH in the appropriate buffer for each of the three levels of basic pH. The reaction was monitored by adding 4-dithiopyridine to the reaction solution. The 4-dithiopyridine compound reacts with Cys-SH to produce 4-thiopyridone, which absorbs ultraviolet light.

[0193] The monitoring step was performed by adding 50 μL of reaction mixture to 0.95 mL of 0.1 M phosphate buffer at pH 8.0 and containing 5 mM EDTA, followed by adding one mL of 2 mM 4-dithiopyridine in the same buffer.

[0194] Absorbance of 4-thiopyridone was measured at 324 nm. Both PEG vinyl sulfone and PEG chloroethyl sulfone showed reactivity toward Cys-SH, with PEG vinyl sulfone showing greater reactivity. At pH 9.0 the reaction is over within two minutes using the vinyl sulfone and within 15 minutes using the chloroethyl sulfone. However, these reactions were too fast for determination of accurate rate constants. At pH 8.0 the reactions were slower, but still complete in one hour for vinyl sulfone and in three hours for the chloroethyl sulfone. The conversion of chloroethyl sulfone to vinyl sulfone is significantly slower than the reaction of vinyl sulfone with Cys-SH. Thus the rate of reaction for chloroethyl sulfone with Cys-SH appears to be dependent on the rate of conversion of chloroethyl sulfone to vinyl sulfone. Nevertheless, these reaction rates were still much faster than for the reaction with Lys-NH₂.

[0195] The above kinetic studies demonstrate the following points. PEG vinyl sulfone is much more reactive with thiol groups than with amino groups, indicating that attachment of PEG vinyl sulfone to a protein containing both cysteine and lysine groups proceeds primarily by reaction with cysteine. Since reactivity with amino groups is similar to imino groups, then reactivity of histidine subunits will also be much lower than reactivity with cysteine subunits. Also, selectivity toward thiol groups is accentuated at lower pH values for PEG chloroethyl sulfone and PEG vinyl sulfone, although the reactions of PEG chloroethyl sulfone are somewhat slower.

[0196] The utility of many PEG derivatives is limited because they react rapidly with water, thus interfering with attempts to attach the derivative to molecules and surfaces under aqueous conditions. The following Example 3 shows that PEG vinyl sulfone and PEG chloroethyl sulfone are stable in water.

EXAMPLE 3 Hydrolytic Stability

[0197] PEG vinyl sulfone was dissolved in heavy water, D₂O deuterium oxide, and monitored by NMR. Reaction did not occur. A solution of PEG chloroethyl sulfone produced PEG vinyl sulfone in heavy water that was buffered with borate to pH 9.0. Monitoring with NMR showed that PEG vinyl sulfone, once produced, was stable for three days in heavy water.

[0198] PEG chloroethyl sulfone is stable in water until solution becomes basic, at which time it is converted into vinyl sulfone. Conversion to vinyl sulfone has been demonstrated by dissolving PEG chloroethyl sulfone in water at pH 7 and in borate buffer at pH 9. The PEG derivative is extracted into methylene chloride. Removal of methylene chloride followed by NMR analysis showed that PEG chloroethyl sulfone is stable at a neutral pH of 7.0, and reacts with base to produce PEG vinyl sulfone.

[0199] Vinyl sulfone is stable for several days in water, even at basic pH. Extensive hydrolytic stability and thiol-specific reactivity of PEG vinyl sulfone means that PEG vinyl sulfone and its precursor are useful for modification of molecules and surfaces under aqueous conditions, as shown in the following Example 4.

EXAMPLE 4 Conjugation to BSA

[0200] Protein modification was demonstrated by attachment of the PEG derivative to bovine serum albumin (BSA) by two different methods. BSA is a protein. Native unmodified BSA contains cystine groups which do not contain thiol groups. The cystine units are tied up as disulfide linkages, S—S.

[0201] In the first method, m-PEG (monomethoxy-PEG) vinyl sulfone of molecular weight 5,000 was reacted with unmodified BSA for 24 hours in a 0.1 M borate buffer at pH 9.5 at room temperature. The solution contained 1 mg of BSA and 1 mg of m-PEG vinyl sulfone, of molecular weight 5,000, per mL of solution. The results from the Example 2 model compounds had indicated that lysine subunits (and possibly histidine subunits) would be modified under these relatively basic conditions and in the absence of free thiol groups available for reaction.

[0202] Attachment to lysine subunits was demonstrated in two ways. First, size exclusion chromatography showed that the molecular weight of the protein had increased by approximately 50%, thus indicating attachment of approximately 10 PEGs to the protein. Second, fluorescamine analysis showed that the number of lysine groups in the BSA molecule had been reduced by approximately ten.

[0203] In the second method, the BSA was treated with tributylphosphine to reduce the disulfide S—S bonds to thiol groups, —SH, which are available for reaction. The modified BSA was then treated with PEG chloroethyl sulfone at pH 8.0 in a 0.1 M phosphate buffer at room temperature for 1 hour. The solution contained 1 mg of modified BSA and 1 mg of m-PEG chloroethyl sulfone of molecular weight 5,000 per mL of solution. The results showed that lysine groups were unreactive under these conditions. However, thiol groups were reactive.

[0204] Attachment of the PEG to the protein was demonstrated by size exclusion chromatography, which showed an increase in the molecular weight of the protein by about 25%. Fluorescamine analysis indicated no change in number of lysine subunits in the protein, thus confirming that PEG attachment did not take place on lysine subunits. Substitution on thiol groups was thereby confirmed.

EXAMPLE 5 Synthesis of Vinyl Sulfone NHS-Ester Heterobifunctional PEG (3.400) Reagent

[0205] Briefly, PEG(3,400)-ω-vinyl sulfone-α-priopionic acid, succinimidyl ester was synthesized in several steps. First, the ethyl ester of PEG(3,400)-ω-hydroxy-α-propionic acid was synthesized. Second, the ethyl ester was converted to the ω-mesylate derivative. Third, the mesylate was used to prepare the ω-thioethanol derivative. Fourth, the thioethanol derivative was converted to the ω-hydroxysulfone. Fifth, the hyroxysulfone was converted to the ω-vinyl sulfone. The latter α-ethyl ester was converted to the α-propionic acid in a sixth step. Finally, the propionic acid group was converted to the succinimidyl ester. The detailed synthesis is set forth below.

[0206] Step 1. 15.0 grams of PEG(3,400)-ω-hydroxy-α-propionic acid, 75 mL anyhydrous ethyl alcohol, and 3 mL sulfuric acid were heated to reflux for 1 hour. After cooling to room temperature, 50 mL water was added to the reaction mixture and sodium bicarbonate was used to adjust pH to 7. Ethyl alcohol was distilled off under reduced pressure using a rotoevaporator at 55° C. for one-half hour. The reaction product was extracted with 60, 50 and 40 mL dichloromethane. The extract was dried with anhydrous magnesium sulfate, concentrated to 50 mL, and added to 400 ML cold diethyl ether. The precipitated product was filtered off and dried under reduced pressure. The yield of the ethyl ester was 13.1 grams. NMR analysis showed 49% propionic acid, ethyl ester groups and 51% PEG-OH groups.

[0207] Step 2. A mixture of 13.0 grams (0.0038 mol) of the ethyl ester derivative formed in step 1, 100 mL toluene, and 2.0 grams BHT was azeotropically dried during heating to reflux. Next, 15 mL dry dichloromethane, 0.60 mL (0.0043 mol, 1.15 fold excess) triethylamine and 0.31 mL (0.0040 mol, 1.07 fold excess) mesyl chloride were added at 5° C. and the mixture was stirred overnight at room temperature under a nitrogen atmosphere. 2 mL anhydrous ethyl alcohol was added and the mixture was stirred for 15 minutes. The mixture was then filtered and about 70 mL of solvents were distilled off under reduced pressure to yield a toluene solution of PEG-ω-mesylate-α-propionic acid ethyl ester.

[0208] Step 3. The following were added to about 40 mL (0.00375 mol) of the PEG-ω-mesylate-α-propionic acid ethyl ester solution obtained in step 2: 150 mL of anyhydrous ethyl alcohol, 1.79 mL (0.0139 mol, 3.69 fold excess) mercaptoethanol and 0.45 grams (0.0011 mol, 3.0 fold excess) sodium hydroxide dissolved in 20 mL anhydrous ethyl alcohol. The mixture was heated 3 hours at 58-62° C. under a nitrogen atmosphere. After cooling to room temperature, acetic acid was used to adjust the pH to about 6.5 and 140 mL of ethyl alcohol was distilled off under reduced pressure using a rotoevaporator, at 55° C. for 40 minutes. After distillation, 50 mL dichloromethane was added to the residue. The resulting solution was washed with distilled water and dried with anhydrous magnesium sulfate. The solution was then concentrated to 30 mL and added to 350 mL cold diethyl ether. The precipitated product was filtered off and dried under reduced pressure. The yield of the thioethanol derivative was 11.5 grams. NMR analysis showed 52% thioethanol groups, 35% propionic acid, ethyl ester groups and 13% PEG-OH moieties. Step 4. Next, a solution of 11.5 grams PEG-ω-ethioethanol-α-propionic acid, ethyl ester in 12 mL distilled water was prepared. A tungstic acid solution was also prepared as follows: 0.14 grams of tungstic acid, 12.0 mL distilled water and 0.05 grams sodium hydroxide dissolved in 6.0 mL water were mixed to form a solution having a pH of 11.5.

[0209] A 10% solution of NaH₂PO₄ was added to the tungstic acid solution to adjust the pH to 6.6. The 12 mL solution of ethyl ester was then added to the pH 6.6 tungstic acid solution and the pH was again adjusted to 6.6 with 0.1M NaOH. 1.1 mL of 30% hydrogen peroxide was added and the reaction mixture was stirred for 19 hours. The pH after the reaction period was 6.7. 1M NaOH was added to adjust the pH to 7.2 and the reaction mixture was stirred for 1 hour. 5 grams of sodium chloride dissolved in 45 mL distilled water was added to the reaction mixture. The reaction product was extracted 3 times with 50 mL dichloromethane. The extract was dried with magnesium sulfate as follows: 10 grams powdered magnesium sulfate was added to the extract and the magnesium sulfate was filtered away after two hours.

[0210] The magnesium sulfate dried extract was concentrated to 40 mL and added to 350 mL cold diethyl ether. The precipitated product was filtered off and dried under reduced pressure. The yield was 9.7 grams and contained 50% hydroxysulfone groups, 39% propionic acid, ethyl ester groups and 11% PEG-OH groups as determined by NMR. Step 5. To a mixture of: 9.6 grams (0.00271 mol) of the PEG-ω-hydroxysulfone-α-propionic acid, ethyl ester synthesized in step 4, 50 mL dichloromethane and 0.01 grams (0.1 wt % per PEG) BHT stirred at room temperature under a nitrogen atmosphere was added 3.00 mL (0.0215 mol, 3.97 fold excess) triethylamine and 0.80 mL (0.010 mol, 3.81 fold excess) mesyl chloride. The reaction mixture was stirred for 15 minutes, filtered, and diluted with 150 mL dichloromethane. The resulting mixture was then washed with 25 mL 1M HCl, 25 mL 10% NaCl and 25 mL water. A small amount of Na₂HPO₄ was added to adjust the pH of the water layer to 7. The reaction mixture was then dried with magnesium sulfate and concentrated to 40 mL. The obtained solution was added to 400 mL cold diethyl ether. The precipitated product was filtered off and dried under reduced pressure to yield 9.1 grams. NMR analysis showed the following functionalities: 43% vinyl sulfone, 16% mesylate, and 35% propionic acid, ethyl ester.

[0211] Step 6. To a solution of 9.0 grams of the PEG-ωvinyl sulfone-α propionic acid, ethyl ester derivative in 50 mL distilled water, 1.0M NaOH was added to adjust the pH to 12.0 and the solution was stirred 1.5 hours keeping the pH between 11.9 and 12.1 by periodic addition of 1.0M NaOH. Next, the pH was adjusted to 3.0 with oxalic acid, 5 grams of NaCl was added to the solution, and the reaction product was extracted 3 times with 50 mL dichloromethane. The extract was dried with anhydrous magnesium sulfate, concentrated to 30 mL and added to 350 mL cold diethyl ether. The precipitate was filtered off and dried under reduced pressure. The yield was 6.8 grams. Functional groups identified by NMR analysis were: vinyl sulfone 40%, propionic acid 29%, propionic acid, ethyl ester 4%, and 17% mesylate. The precipitate was purified by ion-exchange chromatography over a DEAE Sepharose FF column. The yield after purification was 3.2 grams and NMR analysis showed 50% propionic acid groups, 38% vinyl sulfone groups, and 8% mesylate groups.

[0212] Step 7. A mixture of 3.0 grams PEG-ω-vinyl sulfone-a-propionic acid, 0.12 grams N-hydroxysuccinimide, 0.21 grams DCC (dicyclohexylcarbodiimide) in 20 mL dichloromethane was stirred overnight at room temperature under a nitrogen atmosphere. The reaction mixture was then filtered and added to 250 mL cold diethyl ether. The precipitated product was filtered off and dried under reduced pressure to yield 2.90 grams. NMR showed the following groups: succinimide 50%, 38% vinyl sulfone, 10% mesylate, and 2% hydroxysulfone.

EXAMPLE 6 Synthesis of Maleimide, NHS-Ester Heterobifunctional PEG (3.400) Reagent

[0213] The maleimide, NHS-ester PEG reagent was synthesized in two steps. In the first step, maleimido-PEG-OH was synthesized. Specifically, 0.130 grams maleimido succinimidyl propionate were dissolved in 5 mL dry dichloromethane and cooled to 0° C. Next, 0.5 grams PEG-monoamine, prepared as described below, was added and then 2 drops of triethylamine. After 2 hours at room temperature, TLC indicated that the reaction was complete. TLC was conducted using n-BUOH-ACOH—H₂O at a ratio of 4:1:1. The reaction mixture was evaporated to dryness and the residue dissolved in 15 mL distilled water. The pH of the solution was adjusted to 3 using 15 mL 0.5M HCl and extracted with 10 mL CH₂Cl₂. The organic layer was dried with magnesium sulfate, filtered, concentrated to 15 mL, and poured into 75 mL cold ether. The precipitate was filtered and dried in vacuo. The yield was 0.300 grams. NMR analysis showed 77% maleimide groups and 100% PEG-OH.

[0214] In the second step, the maleimido-PEG-OH was converted to the maleimide-PEG-NHS-ester. A mixture of 2 mL CH₂Cl₂, 0.05 mL pyridine (1 equivalent) 1 mL acetonitrile and 0.266 grams maleimido-PEG-OH was stirred at room temperature under nitrogen. To this mixture, 0.070 grams (2.5 equivalents) N,N-disuccinimidyl carbonate was added and the reaction left overnight. The reaction mixture was then poured into approximately 50 mL cold ether, filtered and dried in vacuo. The NMR showed impurities and the product was precipitated a second time with a final yield of 0.230 grams.

[0215] The PEG-monoamine used in the first step above was prepared in three steps as follows. First, the PEG-mesylate derivative was formed. From the mesylate, the amine was formed. Finally, the monoamine was separated from the underivatized PEG and the diamine.

[0216] Step 1 PEG-3,400 (120 grams, 0.07164 equivalents of OH) was dissolved in 580 mL toluene, azeotropically dried, and then 90 mL dichloromethane, 1.80 mL triethylamine (0.01291 mol) and 0.83 mL mesyl chloride (0.01072 mol) were added. After overnight reaction at room temperature, 90 mL of solvents were distilled off from the reaction mixture under reduced pressure, the mixture was filtered and then 500 mL toluene was distilled off under reduced pressure. The residue was added to 800 mL cold diethyl ether. The precipitated product was filtered off and dried under reduced pressure. The yield was 118 grams and the substitution was 15%.

[0217] Step 2 118 grams of the mesylate formed in step 1 and 80 grams ammonium chloride were dissolved in 1600 mL concentrated aqueous NH₄OH and stirred at room temperature for 44 hours. The reaction product was extracted with 600, 400, and then 200 mL dichloromethane. The extract was washed with 170 mL 2% KOH and 170 mL water, dried with magnesium sulfate, concentrated to 200 mL and added to 800 mL cold diethyl ether. The precipitated product was filtered off and dried under reduced pressure. The yield was 106 grams and the substitution was 15.6%.

[0218] Step 3 45 grams of the amine formed in step 2 was dissolved in 9 L water and loaded onto SP-Sepharose FF (300 mL of gel equilibrated with 1000 mL citric acid-lithium citrate buffer, 0.4%, pH 3.0, and then washed with water). SP-Sepharose FF is available from Pharmacia, Uppsala, Sweden. The underivatized PEG was washed off the column with water. Next, PEG monoamine was eluted with 800 mL 20 mM NaCl. The pH of the eluate was adjusted to 11 with 1M NaOH and the PEG monoamine was extracted with dichloromethane, dried with magnesium sulfate, and the solvent was distilled off. The yield was 9 grams.

EXAMPLE 7 Synthesis of PEG-α,ω-bis-vinyl Sulfone

[0219] The synthesis of 3,400 and 20,000 kDa PEG bis-vinyl sulfone was conducted using PEG diol and the general method set forth above. PEG diol was purchased from Fluka Chemical Corporation (Ronkonkoma, N.Y.) or from Nippon Oil and Fat (Tokyo, Japan).

EXAMPLE 8 PEGylation of IL-1ra Using PEG-20.000-α,ω-bis-vinyl Sulfone

[0220] The IL-1ra c84 mutein was prepared as set forth in published PCT Application WO 92/16221, incorporated herein by reference. Conjugation of the c84 mutein or the native (wild-type) IL-Ira using PEG-α,ω-bis-vinyl sulfone (3,400 or 20,000 kDa) was conducted at 25° C. in citrate buffer, pH 6.75-7.5, in 1 mL tubes, varying PEG and protein concentrations. At a protein concentration of 30 mg/mL, good conversion to the dumbbell molecule was obtained within 18 hours. At a protein concentration of 0.94 mg/mL, mostly monoadducts were obtained. The dumbbell species was preferentially formed at a protein concentration of 100 mg/mL with 0.03 equivalents PEG. The dumbbell can be purified using chromatographic techniques set forth in PCT Publication Publication No. WO 92/16221, incorporated herein by reference.

[0221] In other experiments 0.1 M Tris-HCl buffer, pH 8.5, containing 30 mg/mL of the wild-type IL-Ira was treated with a 0.53 molar equivalent of the 20 kDa PEG-bis-vinyl sulfone at 25° C. for 18 hours. SDS PAGE analysis showed conversion to both dumbbell and the monoadduct. At a protein concentration of 3.1 mg/mL with 1 molar equivalent of PEG reagent, only the monoadduct was observed.

[0222] In general, the c84 mutein reacts more readily with the PEG reagent than the wild-type molecule.

EXAMPLE 9 Bioactivity of IL-1ra Dumbbell

[0223] The c84 dumbbell generated above was analyzed for its receptor binding affinity compared to that of unPEGylated recombinant IL-1ra on murine EL-4 cells using the assay set forth in PCT Application Publication No. WO 92/16221, incorporated herein by reference. The results showed similar binding affinities between the two molecules.

EXAMPLE 10 PEGylation of TNFbp c105 Mutein with PEG-20.000-α,ω-bis-vinyl Sulfone

[0224] The c105 mutein of TNFbp was prepared as set forth in published PCT Publication WO 92/16221, incorporated herein by reference. Alternatively, the c105 mutein was prepared as follows. E. Coli cells expressing the c105 mutein were harvested by centifugation. The cell sludge was adjusted to approximately 40% wet weight solids by the addition of purified water. The mixture was then further diluted with an equal volume of breaking buffer (50 mM Tromethamine, 4 mM EDTA, pH 7.2) to give a suspension with approximately 20% wet weight solids. The cell sludge was passed five times through a high pressure homogenizer operating at approximately 8,000 psi to produce the cell homogenate. The homogenate was cooled to less than or equal to 10° C. prior to each pass through the homogenizer. The homogenate was centrifuged and the solids fraction containing the c105 was retained. The solids were diluted and centrifuged again to give washed inclusion bodies.

[0225] The washed inclusion bodies were then dissolved by addition of 8 M urea and 150 mM cysteine in 50 mM TRIS, pH 9.5 This mixture was allowed to stir for two hours at room temperature prior to refolding. Under these conditions, the c105 mutein was denatured and reduced.

[0226] The reduced denatured c105 mutein was refolded by dilution with 1.1 M urea, 50 mM Tris to give a final refold solution comprised of 200 ug/mL c105 mutein, 1.5 M urea, 7.5 mM cysteine, 50 mM Tris, pH 9.7. The refold mixture was held at 6-10° C. for two days. Refold efficiency was monitored by reverse phase HPLC and cation exchange HPLC.

[0227] The refold mixture was then brought to pH 5.0 by addition of acetic acid and HCl. The refold mixture was loaded onto a cation exchange column (S-Sepharose big bead resin) previously equilibrated in 25 mM sodium acetate, 65 mM NaCl, pH 5 at 4° C. After loading, the column was washed with the same equilibration buffer. The column was eluted with a gradient from 65 to 350 mM NaCl in 25 mM sodium acetate, pH 5. The c105 mutein eluted at about 200 mM NaCl and was collected in one pool.

[0228] The collected pool containing the c105 mutein was diluted with 1.5 volumes of 5 M NaCl, 40 mM sodium phosphate, adjusted to pH 6, and loaded onto a hydrophobic interaction column (Toyo Butyl 650 M column), previously equilibrated in 3 M NaCl, 20 mM sodium phosphate, pH 6. At the end of the load, the column was washed with equilibration buffer. The c105 mutein was eluted using a linear eight column volume decreasing salt gradient running from 3 M to 1 M NaCl, in 20 mM sodium phosphate, at pH 6. The c105 mutein was collected in one pool. The pool was then concentrated to approximately 3 μL c105 mutein and then diafilted against 20 mM sodium phosphate, pH 6.0 until the final conductivity was less than 4 mmho (approximately six volumes).

[0229] The diafiltered pool was loaded onto a SP-Sepharose high performance column equilibrated in 20 mM sodium phosphate, pH 6.0. After loading, the column was washed with additional equilibration buffer and eluted with a combination pH/salt gradient from 20 mM sodium phosphate, 50 mM NaCl, pH 6.0 to 20 mM sodium phosphate, 50 mM NaCl, pH 6.5. The c105 mutein eluted in the later half of the gradient at about 35 mM NaCl. The c105 mutein can be stored frozen at this point.

[0230] The c105 mutein was reacted with the PEGylation reagent at molar ratios of PEG reagent to protein of 1:1, 2:1, 4:1, 1:2 and 0:1 (control). The reaction was carried out in 20 mM phosphate/20 mM acetate buffer at pH 7.5 for 15 hours at 22° C. Reactions were also carried out in 50 mM phosphate buffer, pH 7.5 or 8.5.

[0231] The percent conversion to the dumbbell molecule was determined by cation exchange HPLC over a MA7S column. The percent conversion ranged from approximately 40-60%. Conversion to the dumbbell molecule was optimized by adding a solution of approximately 50 mg/mL of PEG reagent to the protein at a molar ratio of 0.50-0.65 PEG reagent to 1.0 of TNFbp mutein at pH 7.5 for 15 hours at 22° C. As the ratio of PEG to protein is increased, production of the monoadduct was favored. Monoadduct formation was optimized by a 5:1 ratio of PEG reagent to protein.

[0232] Conjugates were purified by chromatography over an S-Sepharose HP column. The reaction mixture was adjusted to pH 3.04.2 and loaded onto the column previously adjusted to the same pH. The column was washed with an equilibration buffer and the dumbbell was eluted using a liner sodium chloride gradient and a flow rate of 1.2-1.5 cm/min. The following species eluted from the column in the following order: 1) monosubstituted, 2) dumbbell, 3) unPEGylated TNFbp mutein, and 4) aggregated mutein.

EXAMPLE 11 Bioactivity of TNFbp c105 Mutein Dumbbell

[0233] c105 dumbbells, whether formed from PEG-bis maleimide as described in PCT Application Publication No. WO 92/16221 or as described herein, were shown to be 50 to 100 fold more active than the unPEGylated 30 kDa TNF inhibitor by comparison in the L929 cytotoxicity assay set forth in WO 92/16221, incorporated herein by reference.

EXAMPLE 12 Preparation of Glyceryl-PEG-tris-vinyl Sulfone

[0234] Glyceryl-PEG-α,β,γ-triol (10,000 kDa and 20,000 kDa) was converted to the vinyl sulfone derivative using the general method described above. Glyceryl-PEG-α,β,γ-triol was purchased from Union Carbide, Terrytown, N.Y. Glyceryl-PEG-α,β,γ-triol can be synthesized by ethylene oxide polymerization off of glycerol in base.

EXAMPLE 13 Synthesis of TNFbp c105 Trumbbell Using Glyceryl-PEG-tris-vinyl Sulfone

[0235] Three TNFbp c105 muteins were conjugated to PEG-tris-vinyl sulfone to yield a “trumbbell” molecule. Experiments conducted over a wide range of PEG:protein ratios showed that a particularly useful molar ratio for conversion to the trumbbell was 0.25-0.35 PEG to 1 protein. In a typical experiment, the c105 mutein in 20 mM phosphate, 20 mM acetate buffer, pH 7.5 was exposed to a 0.03 molar equivalent of glyceryl-PEG-10,000-α,β,γ-triol at 25° C. for 18 hours. Analysis of the latter reaction mixture by cation exchange HPLC (Bio Rad MA7S column eluting a sodium chloride gradient) indicated conversion to the trumbbell in 49% yield and bi-substitution in a 34.9% yield.

EXAMPLE 14 Synthesis of IL-1ra Trumbell Using Glyceryl-PEG-tris-vinyl Sulfone

[0236] A solution of PEG-10,000-α,β,γ-tris-vinyl sulfone was reacted with 20 mg/mL wild-type IL-1ra in 0.1 M phosphate buffer at the following PEG/protein molar ratios: 0.10:1; 0.25:1; 0.35:1; 0.45:1; 0.55:1; 0.65:1. The reactions were incubated at 25° C. for 72 hours. SDS PAGE analysis showed conversion to mono, di, and triadducted products. Optimal conversion to the triadduct was observed at a PEG/protein ratio of 0.10:1. The reaction mixture was applied to an S Sepharose high performance column and eluted with a sodium chloride gradient.

EXAMPLE 15 Synthesis of c105 TNFbp-PEG-IL-1ra Heterodumbbell

[0237] A solution of wild-type IL-1ra in 0.1M phosphate buffer, pH 8.5 was reacted with 8 mg/mL PEG-20,000-bis-vinyl sulfone-mono-c105TNFbp adduct at the following molar ratios and concentrations of IL-Ira indicated: 55:1 (12.5 mg/mL); 85:1 (18.75 mg/mL); 100:1 (25.0 mg/mL) and 150:1 (31.75 mg/mL). After 72 hours, heterodumbbell was formed as determined by SDS PAGE. Optimal conversion was observed at a ratio of 1:100 monoadduct to IL-1ra. The heterodumbbell was purified using an S Sepharose high performance column and eluting with a sodium chloride gradient.

EXAMPLE 16 Stability of PEG-vinyl Sulfone Polypeptide Adducts

[0238] The stability of the linkage between the c105 TNFbp mutein and PEG-bis-vinyl sulfone was studied. Known amounts of the c105 dumbbell were incubated in PBS, pH 7.4, at 37° C. for up to one week with aliquots removed at intervals for analysis by SDS PAGE. Essentially no decomposition of the c105 dumbbell was observed. At pH 10 at 37° C. for 1 week, only 5-10% degradation of the conjugate was observed.

EXAMPLE 17 TNFbp c105 Dumbbell Inhibits Actively-Induced Experimental Allergic Encephalomyelitis (“EAE”)

[0239] The in vivo activity of the c105 dumbbell made with PEG-bis-vinyl sulfone has been demonstrated. EAE is a murine model of an autoimmune inflammatory demyelinating disease of the central nervous system that is often used as a model for human MS. AS described below, the c105 dumbbell inhibited EAE in rats.

[0240] Female Lewis rats (150-200 g) were purchased from Charles River (Raleigh, N.C.), and housed for at least 1 week before starting experiments. They received food and water ad libitum and were housed in temperature and light controlled (12 h/day) rooms. Within each experiment, animals were age-matched.

[0241] Active induction of EAE Rats (usually six per group) were anesthetized with 2% isoflurane+O₂ and immunized on day 0 in the footpad of the left hind limb with 0.1 mL of an emulsion containing myelin basic protein (“MBP”) at one of the following doses; 0, 1, 3, 10 or 30 μg (fragment 68-84 Bachem Bioscience, PA). The MBP was dissolved in phosphate buffered saline (PBS) and emulsified with an equal volume of complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) containing 5 mg/mL of Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Ra (Difco Lab, MI). Control rats received 0.1 mL of the PBS/CFA emulsion with no MBP in the footpad of the left hindlimb.

[0242] Clinical Scoring of EAE Evaluation of clinical disease was performed on a daily basis using a standard 0-5 scoring system. Briefly, the spectrum of rating was 0 normal, 0.5 partial loss of tail tone, 1 complete loss of tail tone, 2 dragging of one hind limb, 3 paralysis of both hind limbs, 4 morbid, and 5 death. Daily weights were recorded for individual rats and weight loss/gain was expressed relative to initial weight.

[0243] Effects of immunization with MBP Initial studies assessed the clinical severity of different doses of MBP (0.1-30 μg/0.1 mL) in the emulsion described above in the rat. The 0.1 and 0.3 μg MBP doses produced no apparent clinical signs. The 30 ug dose of MBP produced the most severe clinical signs, compared to the 1 ug dose. This effect was highly significant (p<0.001, Mann-Whitney U-test). In general increasing the dose (1-30 μg) of MBP produced clinical signs earlier, for example lug MBP had a mean±S.E.M. onset of 14.88±0.42 (n=9) compared to 12.35±0.16 (n=34; p<0.01) days for the 30 ug MBP dose. In addition, a dose dependent effect of MBP (1-30 ug) on weight loss was observed. Animals spontaneously recovered from the clinical signs within 5-7 days of onset. Administration of CFA alone produced no clinical signs, however, there was an initial transient weight loss compared to non-treated controls.

[0244] In all of these studies no significant differences at any of the MBP doses were observed between the no drug (MBP immunized only) and vehicle dosed groups (MBP immunized and dosed with PBS). Thus, vehicle had no effect on the severity of the disease (see Tables 3 and 4). The no drug and vehicle dosed groups are described below.

[0245] Treatment of EAE Various doses of TNF inhibitor dumbbell (0.1-3 mg/kg) or vehicle (PBS) at various time courses were administered by subcutaneous injection. Treatment periods began either immediately after or nine days after immunization with MBP and continuing until 21 days post immunization. In each experiment, the control rats receiving PBS received the same number of injections as the treatment groups to diminish any secondary effects due to stress. A group of rats receiving no injections whatsoever after EAE induction, the no drug control, was also observed.

[0246] Effects of treatment Every day dosing The effects on EAE of everyday dosing with the TNF inhibitor dumbbell, starting on the day of immunization for a total of 21 days, was evaluated. Dumbbell concentrations of 0.1, 0.3, 1 or 3 mg/kg had no significant effects on reducing severity of the clinical signs in the lug and 30 ug MBP groups. However, significant amelioration of the clinical disease was observed at the 3 ug MBP dose for all dumbbell doses used.

[0247] Every other day dosing The effects of 0.1, 0.3, 1 and 3 mg/kg doses given every other day starting on day nine post immunization were also tested. As shown in Tables 3 and 4, a significant inhibition of clinical signs occurred at doses of 0.3 (p<0.008), 1.0 (p<0.001) and 3.0 mg/kg (p<0.002, Mann Whitney test, n=6) compared to vehicle controls using the highest MBP dose (30 ug/0.1 mL). No significant differences between the vehicle and the no treatment control groups were observed. The lowest dose of the TNF inhibitor dumbbell had no significant effect on clinical signs.

[0248] Dumbbell doses of 1.0 (p<0.1) and 3 mg/kg (p<0.05, Mann Whitney test) significantly attenuated the clinical signs produced by 10 ug MBP. Although 0.3 and 0.1 mg/kg dumbbell attenuated the clinical signs the reduction was not significant. Dumbbell doses of 0.1-3 mg/kg did not significantly inhibit the clinical signs induced by lower doses of MBP (1 or 3 ug).

[0249] Weight loss is an important marker of EAE onset. Rats immunized with 3, 10, and 30 ug MBP that received the c105 dumbbell (1 or 3 mg/kg) lost less weight compared to the vehicle groups.

Table 3. Prevention of Actively-Induced EAE with TNF inhibitor dumbbell Tables 3A-3F Effects of Dumbbell on Daily Mean Clinical Score—30 μg MBP

[0250] TABLE 3A Treatment no drug Mean 0.25 ± 1.00 ± 1.92 ± 2.67 ± 1.83 ± 0.83 ± 0.166 ± Clinical 0.18 0.50 0.52 0.44 0.53 0.44 0.10 Score Days 11 12 13 14 15 16 17

[0251] TABLE 3B Treatment vehicle Mean 0.17 ± 0.75 ± 1.83 ± 2.50 ± 2.08 ± 1.00 ± 0.25 ± Clinical 0.17 0.31 0.40 0.34 0.45 0.41 0.11 Score Days 11 12 13 14 15 16 17

[0252] TABLE 3C Treatment 0.1 mg/kg dumbbell Mean 0.08 ± 0.92 ± 1.33 ± 2.67 ± 2.17 ± 1.17 ± 0.25 ± Clinical 0.08 0.35 0.21 0.21 0.30 0.28 0.11 Score Days 11 12 13 14 15 16 17

[0253] TABLE 3D Treatment 0.3 mg/kg dumbbell Mean 0.25 ± 0.92 ± 1.50 ± 1.17 ± 0.58 ± 0.375 ± Clinical 0.17 0.27 0.42 0.40 0.15 0.14 Score Days 12 13 14 15 16 17

[0254] TABLE 3E Treatment 1 mg/kg dumbbell Mean 0.17 ± 0.58 ± 0.67 ± 0.42 ± 0.33 ± 0.083 ± Clinical 0.17 0.20 0.17 0.20 0.17 0.083 Score Days 12 13 14 15 16 17

[0255] TABLE 3F Treatment 3 mg/kg dumbbell Mean 0.25 ± 0.42 ± 0.83 ± 0.42 ± 0.08 ± 0.08 ± Clinical 0.17 0.20 0.25 0.32 0.08 0.08 Score Days 12 13 14 15 16 17

[0256] table legend: Daily mean severity score in rats immunized with 30 ug MBP and treated with TNF inhibitor dumbbell every other day starting 9 days post MBP-immunization. Vehicle group received PBS and the no drug group received no injections post EAE induction. TABLE 4 INHIBITORY EFFECTS OF TNF INHIBITOR DUMBBELL EXPRESSED AS AREA UNDER CURVE 0.1 0.3 Treatment no drug vehicle mg/kg mg/kg 1 mg/kg 3 mg/kg Clinical 8.07 ± 7.83 ± 7.88 ± 4.3 ± 1.63 ± 1.53 ± Severity 1.40 0.88 0.83 1.02 0.60 1.01 (Area)

[0257] table legend: Inhibitory effects of c105 dumbbell on clinical severity expressed as area under curve (units arbitrary). Mean±S.E.M. (n=6) were determined for each group and compared statistically against the vehicle group (Mann-Whitney test). No significant differences between the vehicle and no drug control group were observed. c105 dumbbell at 0.3, 1.0 and 3.0 mg/kg (given as described above) significantly (**p<0.008, 0.001, and 0.002 respectively) reduced clinical signs.

[0258] As shown in Table 5, every other day dosing also reduced the duration of the disease as measured by the number of days during which any clinical signs were observed and the mean calculated for a given group of rats. TABLE 5 DURATION OF THE DISEASE WITH EVERY OTHER DAY DOSING TNF inhibitor dumbbell mg/kg MBP μg 1 0.1 0.3 1 3 30 5.33 ± 0.21 5.50 ± 0.34 4.50 ± 0.92 2.83 ± 0.79* 2.16 ± 0.60** 10 4.33 ± 0.80 3.66 ± 0.80 4.00 ± 0.51 3.33 ± 0.49 1.83 ± 0.70* 3 2.50 ± 1.02 1.83 ± 0.83 2.00 ± 0.81 3.16 ± 0.74 0.83 ± 0.54 1 1.83 ± 0.79 0.66 ± 0.66 1.66 ± 0.61 1.33 ± 0.49 0.66 ± 0.42

[0259] Single dosing A single dose of either 0.3 or 3 mg/kg dumbbell administered on day nine post immunization had little or no effect on attenuating MBP (1-30 μg) induced clinical signs when compared to vehicle controls.

[0260] Every third day administration of TNF inhibitor dumbbell Dumbbell at 0.1-3 mg/kg or vehicle was administered on days 9, 12, 15 and 18 post MBP-immunization. As shown in Table 6, a significant attenuation of MBP (30%g) induced clinical signs was observed at c105 dumbbell doses of 0.3 (p<0.05), 1.0 (p<0.01) and 3 mg/kg (p<0.001 Mann-Whitney t-test). The 0.1 mg/kg dose of c105 dumbbell was without effect when compared to the vehicle control.

[0261] The MBP (10 μg) induced clinical signs were reduced by 0.3, 1.0 and 3.0 mg/kg c105 dumbbell doses. However, significant (p<0.05 and 0.03 respectively) effects were only observed at the higher c105 dumbbell doses. Although c105 dumbbell (0.3-3 mg/kg) reduced the clinical signs produced by 3 ug of MBP by approximately 20-60%, the effects observed were not significantly different from the vehicle control group.

[0262] The duration of the disease was generally reduced by c105 dumbbell. For example, c105 dumbbell at 1 and 3 mg/kg significantly reduced the duration MBP (30 μg) mediated signs by 37.3% and 68.7% respectively (see Table 10). A similar trend was also observed using the intermediate MBP (10 g) dose but not the lowest MBP dose (Table 7).

[0263] Disease onset in the 10 and 30 μg MBP groups were significantly (p<0.047; p<0.013 respectively; Mann Whitney U-test) delayed in those animals that were treated with 3 mg/kg c105 dumbbell.

[0264] The weight loss associated with EAE was partially inhibited by c105 dumbbell especially at the 1 and 3 mg/kg doses. The reduction in weight loss was dose dependent. This effect of c105 dumbbell was similar no matter what dose of MBP was used. TABLE 6 MEAN CLINICAL SEVERITY EXPRESSED AS AREA FOR EVERY THIRD DAY DOSING Treatment Vehicle 0.1 mg/kg 03. mg/kg 1.0 mg/kg 3.0 mg/kg Mean 9.21 ± 8.25 ± 6.23 ± 3.66 ± 0.33 ± Clinical 0.64 0.92 1.37 0.61 0.17 Severity (Area)

[0265] TABLE 7 DURATION OF THE DISEASE WITH EVERY THIRD DAY DOSING TNF inhibitor dumbbell mg/kg MBP μg 1 0.1 0.3 1 3 30 5.83 ± 0.44 4.83 ± 0.30 4.16 ± 0.70 3.66 ± 0.61* 1.83 ± 0.70** 10 4.66 ± 0.42 5.16 ± 0.40 4.00 ± 0.77 3.00 ± 0.96 2.50 ± 0.67* 3 4.00 ± 0.67 3.50 ± 0.62 3.00 ± 1.35 3.00 ± 1.35 3.33 ± 0.66

EXAMPLE 18 Central Nervous System (CNS) Pathology

[0266] The effects of treatment with c105 dumbbell synthesized using PEG-bis-vinyl sulfone were determined on CNS pathology induced by immunization with MBP (0, 10 or 30 μg). MBP-immunization (EAE induction) was performed as described above. c105 dumbbell at 0.3, 3 mg/kg or vehicle was administered every other day beginning on day nine post MBP. Animals were killed (via CO₂) on days 9, 14 or 20 post-MBP injection. The brain and spinal cord from each rat were removed and placed in 10% neutral buffered formalin. Following fixation for at least 72 hours, cross sections of the brain were made at the level of the optic chiasm caudal to the attachment of the pituitary and the transverse fibers of the pons. The spinal cord was trimmed by making 4-6 cross sections through the cervical, thoracic and lumber portions. The sacral segment with attached caudal nerves was embedded longitudinally. Tissues were processed for paraffin embedding and stained with hematoxylin and eosin.

[0267] Histologic evaluations were done without knowledge of the treatment groups. Each slide was assigned a numerical score ranging from 1-4 to indicate the intensity of inflammation and demyelination. Scoring criteria were as follows; 1=minimal 1-2 vessels have small perivascular cuffs of inflammatory cells, 2=mild 3 or more vessels have small perivascular cuffs of inflammatory cells with little if any extension of inflammation into parenchyma, 3=moderate 3 or more vessels have prominent perivascular cuffs of inflammatory cells with moderate extension of the inflammation into the surrounding parenchyma, and 4=marked the majority of vessels have prominent perivascular cuffs of inflammatory cells with extensive involvement of the neuropil in the inflammatory process.

[0268] Total inflammation scores were determined for each of animals for each CNS region. Mean±SEM (standard error of the mean) score values were computed for each portion of the CNS for each time point and compared against the vehicle treated animals.

[0269] The mean inflammatory score were determined for each CNS region for each group of animals and compared statistically against the vehicle control group (students-t-test). These scores are set forth in Tables 8 and 9.

[0270] There were no significant histologic alterations in the CNS of animals killed at day 9 post-MBP injection. Lesions at day 14 consisted of minimal to marked mixed (mononuclear+some neutrophils) generally perivascular inflammatory cell infiltration. In the brain, the inflammation tended to be located in the meninges, periventricular areas and cerebellar white tracts, with the brain stem and cerebellar white tracts being most severely affected. In these locations, the inflammation often extended from perivascular areas into the surrounding parenchyma and there was evidence of demyelination. Within the spinal cord, the lumbar and sacral portions were most severely affected. Both gray and white matter were affected, again with the predominant lesion being perivascular. Inflammation persisted into day 20, however, neutrophils were rarely seen at this time point. Variability in intensity of inflammation occurred within animals in each group and almost all group.

[0271] Tables 8 and 9 demonstrate the presence of c105 dumbbell reduced the degree of inflammation in the various regions of the CNS studied. The most dramatic and significant reductions in inflammation were observed in the spinal cord, particularly the lumbar and sacral regions. c105 dumbbell had a lesser effect on the higher regions of the CNS, cerebrum and cerebellum. TABLE 8 INFLAMMATORY SCORES OF ANIMALS IMMUNIZED WITH 30 UG MBP AND TREATED WITH TNF INHIBITOR DUMBBELL Brain Region 3 mg/kg 0.3 mg/kg Vehicle Cerebrum 1.00 ± 0.378 0.714 ± 0.360 0.714 ± 0.474 Cerebellum 2.57 ± 0.429 2.714 ± 0.360 3.280 ± 0 0.286 Cervical cord 1.71 ± 0.360 1.428 ± 0.298* 2.420 ± 0.202 Thoracic cord 1.71 ± 0.421 1.000 ± 0.218* 2.280 ± 0.421 Lumbar cord 1.85 ± 0.404  1.42 ± 0.369  2.42 ± 0.298 Sacral cord 1.28 ± 0.360  1.42 ± 0.298 2.714 ± 0.522

[0272] TABLE 9 INFLAMMATORY SCORES OF ANIMALS IMMUNIZED WITH 10 UG MBP AND TREATED WITH TNF INHIBiTOR DUMBBELL Brain Region 3 mg/kg 0.3 mg/kg Vehicle Cerebrum 0.28 ± 0.18 0.42 ± 0.20 0.42 ± 0.29 Cerebellum 1.42 ± 0.29 2.28 ± 0.42 2.28 ± 0.35 Cervical cord 0.85 ± 0.34 1.42 ± 0.42 1.42 ± 0.20 Thoracic cord 0.85 ± 0.14 1.57 ± 0.36  1.0 ± 0.30 Lumbar cord 0.71 ± 0.28** 1.57 ± 0.48 2.28 ± 0.28 Sacral cord 0.57 ± 0.20** 1.57 ± 0.48 2.28 ± 0.42

EXAMPLE 19 c105 TNFbp Dumbbell Protects Against Endotoxin Lethality

[0273] The c105 dumbbell synthesized using PEG-bis-vinyl sulfone protected Balb/c mice against a lethal dose of endotoxin. Mice were injected intraperitoneally with 30 mg/kg endotoxin and intravenously with a single administration of either 0.1 mL PBS or 1 mg/kg dumbbell in 0.1 mL PBS at either 1 hour or two hours after the administration of endotoxin. The intravenous administration of 1 mg/kg dumbbell 1 hour after injection of endotoxin caused almost complete protection against lethality. Dumbbell administration at the two hour time point gave no protection against the lethal endotoxin injury.

[0274] The c105 dumbbell also protected Lewis rats against a lethal dose of endotoxin. Rats were injected intravenously with 12.5 mg/kg endotoxin. Rats were injected simultaneously with endotoxin and either saline or the c105 dumbbell at doses of either 0.1, 0.5, 3.0 or 4.5 mg/kg. Comparable protection against lethal injury was achieved at all dumbbell doses.

[0275] A single dose treatment of 1.5 mg/kg c105 dumbbell given simultaneously with a 10 mg/kg dose of endotoxin protected rats against hepatic and metabolic disturbances. Hepatic and metabolic parameters were assessed at 24 hours after the administration of endotoxin as shown in Table 10. TABLE 10 EFFECTS OF TREATMENT WITH c105 DUMBBELL (1.5 MG/KG) ON ENDOTOXIN-INDUCED ABNORMALITIES IN BIOCHEMICAL PARAMETERS Endotoxin + Endotoxin + Parameter Control + Vehicle Vehicle c105 dumbbell Glucose (mg/dL) 143 ± 2  52 ± 8  81 ± 5* SGPT¹ (mu/mL) 47 ± 6  679 ± 118 141 ± 25* Blood Urea 19 ± 1  88 ± 2  39 ± 3* Nitrogen (mg/dL) Corticosterone 164 ± 62  750 ± 49  489 ± 43* (ng/mL)

[0276] It is to be understood that the application of the teachings of the present invention to a specific expression system or PEGylation reagent will be within the capabilities of one having ordinary skill in the art in light of the teachings contained herein. Thus, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the process and products of the present invention. It is intended that the present invention covers these modifications and variations. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A biologically-active conjugate comprising a biologically-active molecule having a reactive thiol moiety and a non-peptidic polymer having an active sulfone moiety forming a linkage with said thiol moiety.
 2. The biologically-active conjugate of claim 1, wherein said active sulfone moiety is vinyl sulfone.
 3. The biologically-active conjugate of claim 1, wherein said active sulfone moiety is chloroethyl sulfone.
 4. The biologically-active conjugate of claim 1, wherein said biologically-active molecule is a tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitor.
 5. The biologically-active conjugate of claim 4, wherein said TNF inhibitor is selected from the group consisting of a 30 kDa TNF inhibitor, a 40 kDa TNF inhibitor, a Δ51 TNF inhibitor, and a Δ53 TNF inhibitor.
 6. The biologically-active conjugate of claim 5, wherein said TNF inhibitor is the 30 kDa TNF inhibitor.
 7. The biologically-active conjugate of claim 5, wherein said TNF inhibitor is the 40 kDa TNF inhibitor.
 8. The biologically-active conjugate of claim 5, wherein said TNF inhibitor is the Δ51 TNF inhibitor.
 9. The biologically-active conjugate of claim 5, wherein said TNF inhibitor is the Δ53 TNF inhibitor.
 10. The biologically-active conjugate of claim 1, wherein said biologically-active molecule is an interleukin-1 (IL-1) inhibitor.
 11. The biologically-active conjugate of claim 10, wherein said IL-1 inhibitor is interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra).
 12. A method of preparing a biologically-active conjugate, comprising the steps of: (a) reacting a biologically-active molecule having a reactive thiol moiety with a non-peptidic polymer having an active sulfone moiety to form said conjugate; and (b) optionally, isolating said conjugate.
 13. The method of claim 12, further comprising, before step (a), the steps: selecting a desired biologically-active molecule; and adding a reactive thiol moiety to the selected molecule to form a biologically-active molecule having a reactive thiol moiety.
 14. The method of claim 12, further comprising, before step (a), the steps of: selecting a biologically-active molecule; adding a reactive thiol moiety to the selected molecule to form a synthetic molecule; and refolding the synthetic molecule to form a biologically-active molecule having a reactive thiol moiety; and optionally, isolating the biologically-active molecule having a reactive thiol moiety.
 15. A substantially purified compound of the formula R₁—X—R₂, wherein: X comprises a non-peptidic polymer having a first reactive group and a second reactive group, wherein said first reactive group is a Michael acceptor; R₁ comprises a biologically-active molecule having a reactive thiol moiety, said biologically-active molecule is covalently bonded to said non-peptidic polymer by reaction of said thiol moiety with said Michael acceptor, and said biologically-active molecule retains its biological activity after said reaction; and R₂ comprises a biologically-active molecule or a nonbiologically-active group bonded to said non-peptidic polymer by reaction with said second reactive group.
 16. The substantially purified compound of claim 15, wherein said Michael acceptor is vinyl sulfone.
 17. The substantially purified compound of claim 15, wherein said Michael acceptor is maleimide.
 18. The substantially purified compound of claim 15, wherein said non-peptidic polymer has two Michael acceptors.
 19. The substantially purified compound of claim 18, wherein said Michael acceptors are maleimide.
 20. The substantially purified compound of claim 18, wherein said Michael acceptors are vinyl sulfone.
 21. The substantially purified compound of claim 18, wherein one of said Michael acceptors is vinyl sulfone and the other is maleimide.
 22. The substantially purified compound of claim 15, wherein said biologically-active molecule is selected from the group consisting of an IL-1 inhibitor, a tumor necrosis factor binding protein (TNFbp), CR1, PDGF receptor, IL-2, and exon 6 peptide of PDGF.
 23. The substantially purified compound of claim 22, wherein said biologically-active molecule is a tumor necrosis factor binding protein (TNFbp).
 24. The substantially purified compound of claim 23, wherein said TNFbp is the 30 kDa TNF inhibitor.
 25. The substantially purified compound of claim 23, wherein said TNFbp is the 40 kDa TNF inhibitor.
 26. The substantially purified compound of claim 23, wherein said TNFbp is the Δ51 TNF inhibitor.
 27. The substantially purified compound of claim 23, wherein said TNFbp is the Δ53 TNF inhibitor.
 28. The substantially purified compound of claim 22, wherein said biologically-active molecule is an IL-1 inhibitor.
 29. The substantially purified compound of claim 28, wherein said IL-1 inhibitor is IL-1ra.
 30. The substantially purified compound of claim 15, wherein R₁ comprises a biologically-active polypeptide.
 31. The substantially purified compound of claim 15, wherein R₁ and R₂ comprise biologically-active polypeptides.
 32. The substantially purified compound of claim 15, wherein R₁ and R₂ are identical.
 33. The substantially purified compound of claim 15, wherein R₁ and R₂ are different.
 34. A water-soluble polymer having a reactive NHS-ester and a reactive Michael acceptor.
 35. The water-soluble polymer of claim 34, wherein said Michael acceptor is vinyl sulfone.
 36. The water-soluble polymer of claim 34, wherein said Michael acceptor is maleimide.
 37. The water-soluble polymer of claim 34, wherein said polymer is selected from the group consisting of polyalkylene oxides, polyoxyethylated polyols, and polyolefinic alcohols.
 38. A method for the preparation of the substantially purified compound of claim 15, comprising: (a) reacting X with R₁ and R₂ to form R₁—X—R₂; and (b) purifying R₁—X—R₂.
 39. The method of claim 38, further comprising adding a reactive thiol moiety to a biologically-active molecule to form R₁ prior to step (a).
 40. The method of claim 38, further comprising, prior to step (a), the steps: selecting a biologically-active molecule; adding a reactive thiol moiety to the selected molecule to form a synthetic molecule; refolding the synthetic molecule to form R₁; and optionally, isolating R_(1.)
 41. The method of claim 38, wherein step (a) further comprises the steps: protecting a reactive group of X to form a protected group on X; reacting X having a protected group with R₁ to form R₁—X; deprotecting the protected group on X; reacting R₁—X with R₂ to form R₁—X—R₂.
 42. The method of claim 38, wherein step (a) further comprises the steps: reacting an excess of X with R₁ to form R₁—X; and reacting R₁—X with R₂ to form R, —X—R₂.
 43. A pharmaceutical composition comprising the compound of claim 1 in a pharmaceutically-acceptable carrier.
 44. A pharmaceutical composition comprising the compound of claim 15 in a pharmaceutically-acceptable carrier. 